Methods, apparatus and systems for securing an infant car seat to a vehicle seat with a tight fit and without using a detachable vehicle installation base or a vehicle seat belt, and ride-hailing methods relating to same

ABSTRACT

An infant car seat system includes an infant car seat with an integrated anchor system to conveniently secure the infant car seat to a vehicle seat, without using a detachable vehicle installation base and without using a vehicle seat belt. The anchor system is coupled to the infant car seat at one or more mechanical constraining points positioned based on the center of gravity of the infant car seat and respective anchor points at which the anchor system engages with vehicle lower anchors. The anchor system may be a rigid anchor system or a belted anchor system, and the system may include one or more of a release actuator for a quick disconnect mechanism, an adjustment foot to accommodate different vehicle seats and ensure a tight fit, and/or one or more storage compartments to store parts of the anchor system when unused.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/884,863, filed on Aug. 9, 2019, entitled, “INFANT CAR SEAT WITHINTEGRATED LOWER ANCHORS,” which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

An automobile is a common form of transportation for many parents andcaregivers of children worldwide. From time to time, parents andcaregivers also may rely on other sources of transportation, such asbusses, airplanes and trains—collectively, these various modes oftransportation are referred to herein generally as “vehicles.” Manyconventional vehicles, and particularly automobiles, often includerestraints (e.g., seat belts) that are designed to protect adults and/orchildren of a certain age (e.g., at least 9 years old) and/or size(e.g., at least 57 inches in height). For relatively younger and/orsmaller children and particularly infants, however, the restraints invarious vehicles do not generally provide adequate protection. In viewof the foregoing, to provide adequate protection for children duringtravel, parents and caregivers often utilize a child safety seat whentransporting a child in a vehicle.

Since a child typically experiences substantial physical developmentduring their first five years of life, different types of child safetyseats are used to ensure that the child remains sufficiently restrainedand protected during transport in a vehicle as the child grows. Morespecifically, a given child safety seat generally is selected, andinstalled in the vehicle in a certain manner, based on the size, weight,and/or age of the child. Various government and regulatory bodies aroundthe world recommend, specify, regulate and/or require different types ofchild safety seats based on these factors. One example of governmentguidance regarding child safety seats includes the document “ChildPassenger Safety” published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control(CDC) and Prevention and the National Center for Injury Prevention andControl, which publication is hereby incorporated by reference herein(see www.cdc.gov/injury/features/child-passenger-safety/index.html).Another relevant example of government oversight regarding child safetyseats is given by the United Nations European Regional standard ECER44/04, “Uniform provisions concerning the approval of restrainingdevices for child occupants of power-driven vehicles,” which standard ishereby incorporated herein by reference. ECE R44/04 categorizes childsafety seats into four groups (e.g., Group 0, Group 1, Group 2 and Group3) based in part on various characteristics of the respect seats.

An “infant car seat” is a type of child safety seat (i.e., a “Group 0 orGroup 0+” seat according to ECE R44/04) tailored specifically forinfants being transported in a vehicle. An “infant” generally refers toa child who has not yet learned how to walk and typically corresponds tochildren who are 0 to about 12 months in age and/or weigh up to about 20to 30 pounds. FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional infant car seat systemincluding an infant car seat 10 and detachable vehicle installation base20. Although FIG. 1A shows these respective components as detached,during use in a vehicle the detachable base 20 is first installed in thevehicle, and then the infant car seat 10 is mechanically engaged with(e.g., clicked into) the detachable base 20 via locking mechanisms onthe bottom of the car seat 10 (not visible in FIG. 1A) and locks 15A and15B on the base 20. The conventional infant car seat system shown inFIG. 1A may also be combined with a stroller (not shown) to which theinfant car seat mechanically engages; this combination is generallyreferred to as a “travel system” to facilitate portable transport of aninfant in the infant car seat 10 when it is either clicked into thestroller or clicked into the detachable base 20 installed in a vehicle.

The infant car seat 10 may be used more generally to carry and hold aninfant beyond a vehicle or stroller. In particular, an infant car seatused by itself to secure and carry an infant in the home environment orother environments is generally referred to as an “infant carrier.” Theorganization ASTM International has developed and provided globallyrecognized international consensus standards governing infant carriers,namely, ASTM F2050-19, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification forHand-Held Infant Carriers,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference (see www.astm.org/Standards/F2050.htm). The U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC) also has a consumer product safetystandard for hand-held infant carriers, which incorporates by referenceASTM F2050-19, and which is codified in U.S. law in the Code of FederalRegulations, 16 C.F.R. § 1225 (seewww.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/20/2020-09166/safety-standard-for-hand-held-infant-carriers).16 C.F.R. § 1225 also is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The conventional infant car seat 10 shown in FIG. 1A is distinguishedfrom other types of child safety seats, in part, by including variousstructural features to accommodate the smaller size of the infant andthe infant's limited mobility and to facilitate portability of theinfant. First, the infant car seat 10 and the detachable base 20 must beinstalled in a vehicle such that the infant car seat is facing the rearof the vehicle when it is clicked into the detachable base. Second, theinfant car seat 10 is designed so that the infant may remain in theinfant car seat when it is clicked into and/or removed from thedetachable base installed in the vehicle. To this end, unlike othertypes of car safety seats, the infant car seat 10 includes a carryinghandle 12 to facilitate portability and ease of handling for parentsand/or caregivers transporting the infant. Third, again unlike othertypes of car safety seats, the infant car seat 10 often includes acurved bottom 17 to provide a rocking function to comfort the infantwhen the infant car seat is not locked into the detachable base 20 (orthe stroller of a travel system).

Generally, an infant car seat comfortably accommodates infants up to theage of about 9 to 12 months and a weight of about 20 pounds; at thisstage, the infant is getting more active and heavy (and less convenientfor the parent/caregiver to carry in the infant car seat). Once a childoutgrows the infant car seat, the infant car seat system in the vehicleis generally replaced by a “convertible” car seat (i.e., a Group 0+/1seat according to the United Nations European Regional standard ECER44/04). In contrast to the infant car seat system, the convertible carseat is larger in size and generally supports both rear-facing andforward-facing configurations to accommodate the physical development ofthe child. Additionally, unlike the infant car seat, the convertible carseat is not portable and rather is a stationary device that remainswithin the vehicle, i.e., the child is placed into and/or taken out ofthe convertible car seat at the beginning and end of a vehicle journey.Since it is not intended to carry a child outside of a vehicle, aconventional convertible car seat does not include a carrying handle asfound on infant car seats; similarly, the convertible car seat would notinclude a curved rocker bottom for rocking an infant. Once the childoutgrows the convertible car seat, the convertible car seat may then bereplaced by an even larger seat (e.g., a Group 1 or Group 2 child safetyseat, which is a permanent fixture in the vehicle and uses an adult seatbelt to hold it in place), or ultimately a booster seat (i.e., a Group 3seat, which also utilizes the vehicle's seat belts to restrain thechild). The child may continue to use the booster seat until they areable to safely use the vehicle's seats and restraints without the aid ofthe booster seat.

With respect to installation in a vehicle, early versions of childsafety seats (some of which were introduced generally in the mid-1990's)utilized the existing seat belts in a vehicle to secure the child safetyseat in the vehicle. To this end, various child safety seats include avehicle belt path through which the vehicle's existing seat belt canpass to hold the child safety seat to the vehicle's seat. One type ofconventional seat belt in a vehicle is a “lap belt” for pelvicrestraint, and another type of conventional seat belt is a “shoulderbelt” to restrain movement of the chest and shoulder regions (in theU.S., a shoulder belt is only used in conjunction with a lap belt as avehicle seat belt assembly). For purposes of the present disclosure,both a lap belt by itself or in combination with a shoulder belt arereferred to generally as a “vehicle seat belt.” A child safety seatinstalled in a vehicle using one or more existing vehicle safety beltsprovide improved protection for a child (as opposed to securing thechild directly in the vehicle using the vehicle safety belt(s));however, with early versions of child safety seats, installation invarious vehicles using existing vehicle seat belts lacked significantstandardization at the time, as there were different types of vehicleseat belt configurations utilized in different makes and models ofvehicles.

As a result, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, various guidelines forchild safety seats and their installation in vehicles were developedaround the world in an effort to improve standardization and, in somerespects, provide alternatives to using existing vehicle seat belts. Forexample, ISOFIX is the international standard for attachment points forchild safety seats using “vehicle lower anchors” located in the bight ofvehicle seats in passenger cars, and presently, utilized in Europe. Asimilar standardized anchor system in the U.S. for vehicle lower anchorsand other attachment points, effective as of Sep. 1, 2002, is referredto as LATCH (“Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) and anothersimilar standardized anchor system in Canada is referred to as LUAS(Lower Universal Anchorage System”) or CANFIX.

Additionally, safety regulations were introduced in differentjurisdictions around the world that defined various criteria for vehiclesafety, the use of child safety seats and the installation of such seatsin a vehicle, as well as the type of loads the child safety seat shouldwithstand in the unfortunate event of a collision or a crash. In theUnited States, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) arefederal regulations specifying design, construction, performance, anddurability requirements for motor vehicles and regulated automobilesafety-related components, systems, and design features. The FMVSS aredeveloped and enforced by the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) and codified in U.S. law in the Code of FederalRegulations, 49 C.F.R. § 571. FMVSS Standard no. 213 (FMVSS-213)specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in passengercars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and busses, and to childrestraint systems for use in other types of motor vehicles and aircraft.FMVSS-213 is codified in U.S. law in the Code of Federal Regulations, 49C.F.R. § 571.213, which is incorporated herein by reference. As notedabove, the European Union and related jurisdictions have establishedsimilar safety regulations in the United Nations European Regionalstandard ECE R44/04; similarly, Canada has codified similar regulationsin CMVSS-213, “Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats SafetyRegulations,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference (seelaws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2010-90/), and Australia andNew Zealand have codified similar regulations in AS/NZS 1754, “SafetyStandard: Child Restraint Systems For Use In Motor Vehicles,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the foregoing safety regulations to improvestandardization for child safety seats and their installation, in theU.S. the National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification TrainingProgram certifies people in the U.S. as child passenger safetytechnicians and instructors to provide hands-on assistance to parentsand caregivers for proper use of child restraining systems and safetybelts. The U.S. CPS certification program is widely considered to be the“gold standard” across the globe for child passenger safetycertification. According to the CPS, a child safety seat when properlyinstalled in a vehicle should pass the “inch test,” i.e., aproperly-installed child safety seat should not move more than one inchfront to back or side to side when pulled at the seat belt path. Thisrule applies for forward-facing child safety seats and rear-facing childsafety seats, such as an infant car seat, and when the child safety seatis secured to the vehicle seat using either an existing vehicle seatbelt or a standardized anchor system including vehicle lower anchors(e.g., LATCH).

With reference again to FIG. 1A, the detachable vehicle installationbase 20 of the conventional infant car seat system was essentiallyintroduced in the 2000's as a design improvement arising from thevarious global standardization and certification efforts and safetyregulations noted above. In particular, the detachable vehicleinstallation base 20 is carefully and securely mounted to a vehicle seat(using either existing vehicle seat belts or a standardized anchorsystem employing vehicle lower anchors) and generally remains within thevehicle for extended periods of time (e.g., over multiple journeys inthe vehicle). Over the years since the introduction of the two-piecesystem of the infant car seat 10 and detachable base 20, the design ofthe infant car seat itself has remained essentially unchanged; however,the detachable base 20 has evolved with successive improvements toensure safety and facilitate compliance with applicable standards andregulations. Notably, the inclusion of the detachable base 20 in theinfant car seat system allows the system to pass the CPS “inch test”(whereas a legacy infant car seat installed by itself using an existingvehicle seat belt would not pass this test).

With respect to installation of the detachable base 20 using astandardized anchor system employing vehicle lower anchors, FIG. 1Bshows that the detachable base 20 includes seat anchors 32 to couple thebase 20 to respective vehicle lower anchors (not shown) in the seatbight of a vehicle seat. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the seat anchor 32is connected to a belt 34 which is permanently attached to the base 20via a tether 38. The belt 34 includes a belt tightening mechanism 36 tosecurely position the base 20 against the vehicle seat. Once the base 20is safely and securely installed in the vehicle, the infant car seat 10carrying the infant may then be locked into the base 20 before beginninga journey in the vehicle, and released from the base 20 to remove theinfant from the vehicle at the end of a journey.

Over the years, various types of mechanical connections have beenintroduced for the seat anchors 32 between the detachable vehicleinstallation base 20 and the vehicle lower anchors. For example, FIG. 1Cshows a belted anchor system 30 a that could be employed in thedetachable base 20, including a belt 34 connected to a pair of seatanchors 32 a and 32 b and a belt tightening mechanism 36. In anotherexample, FIG. 1D shows a rigid anchor system 30 b, in which a pair ofseat anchors 32 a and 32 b are coupled together via a rigid cross-member38 that passes through the base 20. As with the belted anchor system,the rigid anchor system 30 a is directly and permanently mounted to thebase 20.

SUMMARY

As discussed above, the combination of an infant car seat together witha detachable vehicle installation base provides parents and/orcaregivers a convenient way to safely transport an infant in a vehicle,particularly when the vehicle is owned and/or operated by the parentand/or caregiver. In such situations, the parent and/or caregiver, oralternatively a certified CPS (Child Passenger Safety) technician thatis counseling or working together with the parent/caregiver, are able totake their time to carefully attend to the important step of properlyinstalling the detachable vehicle installation base in theparent/caregiver's vehicle (e.g., passing the CPS “inch test”) to ensurethe safety of the infant during transport in the vehicle over multiplejourneys.

For a parent and/or caregiver that does not own a vehicle themselves oris otherwise unable to readily access and operate a vehicle themselves,hired transportation services may in some instances provide analternative mode of transportation. Various conventional options forhired transportation services (also referred to in the relevant arts as“transportation-for-hire”), such as taxis and appointment-based carservices, have been available for many years. However, taxis andconventional appointment-based car services historically have posedmultiple challenges to parents and/or caregivers traveling with infants.

For example, in some instances older taxis are not even equipped withstandardized vehicle lower anchors, and therefore the existing vehicleseat belts in the taxi would need to be used to install the detachablebase of a conventional infant car seat system. The parent/caregivercould consider installing the infant car seat by itself in the taxi,without using the detachable base and using the existing vehicle seatbelts; however, doing so would result in an inferior (and hence possiblyunsafe) installation of the infant car seat that would not pass the CPS“inch test.”

Even if a taxi is equipped with vehicle lower anchors, parents and/orcaregivers face the inconvenience of hailing and/or waiting for a taxiwhile maintaining in tow the infant in the infant car seat, the separatedetachable base, and any other travel baggage/luggage, and may be doingso in a crowded taxi/cab station with long lines and/or long waitperiods, and/or navigating through inclement weather. Once the taxiarrives, the parent/caregiver faces another immediate challenge, namely,how to keep an eye on the infant while installing the detachable base ofthe infant car seat system. Presumably, the parent/caregiver would needto put the infant car seat with the infant aside somewhere and thenhurriedly attend to the installation and adjustment of the detachablebase in the back of the taxi, while at the same time trying to somehowpay proper attention to the infant. An additional frustration is thatthe generally poor sanitation of some taxis creates an environment thatmay further deter parents and/or caregivers from using taxis as a modeof travel.

Conventional appointment-based car services also pose certain challengesof their own. For example, a journey in a car service often needs to bescheduled well in advance of the trip, which may be inconvenient for theparent and/or caregiver's schedule (e.g., given the many, unpredictable,and often-changing needs of the infant). Additionally, a parent and/or acaregiver may be unable to schedule a journey with an appointment-basedcar service due to lack of availability of the service, especiallyduring peak traffic times. The cost of conventional appointment-basedcar services also is typically higher than taxis, which in someinstances may be a financial deterrent as well.

Thus, various challenges associated with using a taxi and/or aconventional appointment-based car service have historically limitedtheir use as an alternative mode of transportation for parents and/orcaregivers traveling with an infant. However, the Inventors haverecognized and appreciated that the recent growth and popularity ofride-hailing and ridesharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, providenew hired transportation options for parents and/or caregivers ofinfants. For purposes of the present disclosure, “ride-hailing” refersto the process of booking a journey in a vehicle and paying for thejourney via an “app” operating on a mobile device and provided by atransportation network company (TNC), such as Uber or Lyft. The term“ridesharing” has been used similarly to describe the services providedby a TNC, but more generally this term may be used in a manner similarto “carpooling,” in which a person shares a vehicle with one or moreother individuals on a commute (e.g., to work).

From the perspective of either ride-hailing or ridesharing, these newertypes of hired transportation services alleviate at least some of thepast challenges associated with taxis and conventional appointment-basedcar services for parents and/or caregivers of infants. For example,ride-hailing or ridesharing services typically provide a more flexibleschedule for parents and/or caregivers by allowing rides to be scheduledon demand and/or on short notice (e.g., a ride may be scheduled when aninfant is able and ready to travel). In another example, ride-hailing orridesharing services generally permit the parent and/or the caregiver towait with their infant in a sheltered and/or indoor environment (e.g.,their home) until the driver arrives. This, in turn, also enables theparent and/or the caregiver to avoid crowded locations with long linesand/or long wait times. Furthermore, as a general observation, thevehicles used in ride-hailing or ride-sharing services tend to becleaner and more hospitable to infants and their parents/caregivers thantaxis.

In recognizing the potential benefits of ride-hailing and ridesharingservices for parents and/or caregivers traveling with an infant, theInventors have further recognized that conventional infant car seatsystems including a detachable vehicle installation base are notparticularly well-suited for hired transportation such as ride-hailingand ridesharing services for a variety of reasons.

First, as with taxis or conventional appointment based car services, theparent and/or the caregiver would need to carry along both the infantcar seat (with the infant in it) and the detachable base when using aride-hailing or ridesharing service (along with any otherluggage/baggage attendant to the journey with the infant), which is anotable inconvenience given the bulk and weight of the detachable base(which may be as much as the infant car seat itself). Alternatively, theparent/caregiver could consider not bringing along the detachable baseand installing just the infant car seat itself using the existingvehicle seat belts in the ride-hail/rideshare vehicle. However, as notedabove, doing so would result in an inferior and risky installation ofthe infant car seat that would not pass the CPS “inch test.”

Second, appropriate installation of the detachable base in the vehicleseat (e.g., to pass the “inch test”) takes some time and requiresattention from the person performing the installation. However, uponarrival of a ride-hailing or ridesharing service vehicle to the originof a journey, there may be little to no opportunity for theparent/caregiver to take the time required to quickly and safely installthe detachable base of the infant car seat system, while at the sametime continuing to pay careful attention to the infant. If theparent/caregiver is traveling alone with an infant, it may be virtuallyimpossible for the parent/caregiver to appropriately monitor the infantwhile simultaneously installing the detachable base to the vehicle seat.Moreover, the parent/caregiver would need to install and then uninstallthe detachable base for each ride-hail/rideshare journey.

In view of the challenges of using hired transportation when travellingwith an infant, the present disclosure is directed to various inventiveimplementations of an infant car seat system in which an infant car seatis particularly configured to be secured directly to a vehicle seatwithout using a detachable base or a vehicle seat belt. In variousexamples described herein, in addition to not requiring either adetachable base or a vehicle seat belt, the inventive infant car seatsystems also do not require a top tether or a load leg to achieveimproved crash test performance and reduced injury criteria. Instead ofrequiring a detachable base, infant car seat systems according to thepresent disclosure include other useful features that, respectively andin various combinations, help a parent or caregiver of an infant to: 1)easily and comfortably transport an infant to and from a vehicle withoutthe bulk of a detachable base; 2) quickly secure the infant car seat andthe infant in a vehicle at the beginning of a journey, with a tight fitdirectly to the vehicle seat, to ensure the comfort and safety of theinfant; and 3) quickly remove the infant and the infant car seat fromthe vehicle at the end of the journey.

In exemplary implementations, these objectives are facilitated in partby an anchor system directly coupled to the infant car seat andpositioned to provide convenient access and attachment to vehicle loweranchors. In one aspect, the anchor system is particularly positioned atmechanical constraining points, based in part on the center of gravityof the infant car seat, so as to significantly mitigate rotation of thebackside of the infant car seat away from the back of the vehicle seatduring a crash event (and also notably reduce other injury criteria).

To facilitate installation without a detachable base, in another aspectthe infant car seat system includes an adjustment foot mounted proximateto the front of the infant car seat to mitigate rotation of the backsideof the infant car seat toward the back of the vehicle seat duringinstallation. In this manner, the adjustment foot helps a parent and/orcaregiver to position the infant car seat in the vehicle so as tomaintain the comfort of the infant, more easily align and engage theanchor system with the vehicle lower anchors, and at the same timeprovide leverage against the seat pan of the vehicle seat to facilitatea tight fit to the vehicle seat.

In other aspects, the infant car seat also includes a carrying handle tofacilitate portability and ease of handling when transferring the infantcar seat into or out of the vehicle, and a curved rocker bottom toprovide a rocking function to comfort the infant when the infant carseat is used outside of the vehicle. Regarding the curved rocker bottom,which in some instances may complicate the fit of the infant car seat todifferent configurations of vehicle seats, the adjustment foot notedabove is also particularly useful to compensate for the curved profileof the rocker bottom to ensure that a reliable, tight fit with thevehicle seat is achieved according to Child Passenger Safety (CPS)guidelines (e.g., the infant car seat installation passes the CPS “inchtest”).

In other advantageous respects, in some implementations theparent/caregiver can disengage the anchor system from the vehicle seatat the end of a journey with a single-touch actuator to easily removethe infant and the infant car seat from the vehicle. Additionally, oneor more storage areas built into or on the infant car seat provideconvenient storage of the anchor system when not in use, to preventdamage or injury (as well as interference with a stroller if the infantcar seat is used as part of a travel system) and provide for a sleekdesign of the infant car seat.

Eliminating the detachable base from the infant car seat system makestransporting the infant to and from the vehicle significantly moreconvenient and expedient, as the parent/caregiver does not have to worryabout the bulk, weight, and storage of a detachable base. The systemdesign without a detachable base, and with multiple features supportingsafety and convenience, make the system particularly suitable forride-hailing or ridesharing situations, in which a caregiver often mustquickly get into and out of the ride-hail/rideshare vehicle with theinfant in the infant car seat (together with any other travelbaggage/luggage), while at the same time ensuring the comfort and safetyof the infant.

The anchor system of the inventive infant car seat systems disclosedherein generally may include one or more connectors (also sometimesreferred to as “anchors”) having a mechanical design that adheres tovarious global standards for securing the infant car seat system to thevehicle seat. As noted above, examples of such standards include, butare not limited to, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH),ISOFIX, the Lower Universal Anchorage System (LUAS), and the UniversalChild Safety Seat System (USCSS). Pursuant to these various standards,the infant car seat anchor system connectors include a latchingmechanism that allows a fast and secure connection to respective vehiclelower anchors found in the bight of the vehicle seat.

In some implementations, the anchor system of the inventive infant carseat systems may be a rigid anchor system that includes a pair ofconnectors rigidly coupled to the infant car seat. In one aspect, theconnectors of a rigid anchor system may be rotatably and/ortranslationally adjustable with respect to the infant car seat tofacilitate a secure connection to the vehicle lower anchors in the bightof the vehicle seat. In another aspect, rotation and/or translation ofthe connectors of a rigid anchor system also facilitates easy storage ofthe connectors when not in use.

In other implementations, the anchor system may be a belted anchorsystem including a pair of connectors coupled to the infant car seat viaone or more belts. The belted anchor system may further include a belttightening mechanism as well as a locking mechanism (e.g., a cam) toensure the infant car seat is easily and tightly fitted to the vehicleseat once the connectors are mechanically engaged with the vehicle loweranchors.

Regarding one or more integrated storage compartments to store all or aportion of the anchor system, the storage compartment(s) may be tailoredbased on the type of anchor system (e.g., a rigid anchor system or abelted anchor system). For example, a rigid anchor system may include atelescopically adjustable cross-member to transition between a storedposition (e.g., the cross-member is collapsed and the anchor systemconnectors are rotated for storage) and an operational position (e.g.,the cross-member is extended and the anchor system connectors aredeployed for attachment to the vehicle lower anchors). The storagecompartment for a rigid anchor system may be tailored to store theconnectors within connector cavities (e.g., defined by or within theseat shell rails of the infant car seat). In another example, the infantcar seat may include various storage compartments inside and/or outsidethe infant car seat to store the belt and/or connectors of a beltedanchor system.

The anchor system, whether rigid or belted, obviates the need to use anexisting vehicle seat belt to secure an infant car seat to a vehicleseat without using a detachable base; in so doing, the anchor systemalso mitigates having a restraint pass over the top of an infant (e.g.,through a conventional vehicle belt path and across the top of the legs,lap, or pelvis of the infant). Moreover, by providing a viablealternative to using a vehicle seat belt for installation without adetachable base, the anchor system helps ensure that installation of theinfant car seat without using the detachable base nonetheless passes theCPS “inch test.”

As briefly noted above and discussed in further detail below, the anchorsystem may be mounted directly to respective sides of a seat shell ofthe infant car seat at one or more mechanical constraining points (e.g.,one or more openings, slots, or notches in the seat shell). In exampleimplementations, the mechanical constraining points are particularlypositioned based on a system center of gravity of the infant car seatand a representative infant (e.g., anthropomorphic test device or ATD)so as to significantly improve crash test performance and reduce injurycriteria. To this end, in some implementations the mechanicalconstraining point(s) for the anchor system are located above a planedefined by a first axis through the center of gravity and a second axisthrough respective anchor points at which the connectors of the anchorsystem are engaged with the vehicle lower anchors in the bight of thevehicle seat. This particular positioning of the anchor systemmechanical constraining point(s) is observed to not only reduce themagnitude of the forces applied to the infant's head and chest during acrash event, but it more particularly reduces the rotationaldisplacement of the seat back of the infant car seat (relative tovertical) during a crash event. In example implementations, the anchorsystem mechanical constraining points ensure that the rotationaldisplacement of the seat back of the infant car seat during a crashevent is less than 70 degrees relative to vertical.

In sum, the inventive infant car seat systems described herein provideseveral advantages to address the limitations of conventional infant carseat systems particularly when using a ride-hailing or ridesharingservice. First, the infant car seat system may include an anchoringsystem with connectors that are configured to quickly and securelyattach the infant car seat to a vehicle seat, and an adjustment foot toreadily compensate for a curved rocker bottom of the infant car seat aswell as different types of vehicle seats and/or different seat panangles, to ensure the infant car seat is tightly fitted to the vehicleseat (e.g., to pass the CPS “inch test”). Second, the infant car seatsystem may include one or more release actuators, which provide aquick-disconnect mechanism to easily remove the infant car seat systemfrom the vehicle. Third, storage compartments may be integrated into theinfant car seat to reduce the number of dangling and/or exposedcomponents in the infant car seat system. Fourth, the directinstallation of the infant car seat to the vehicle seat allows theparent and/or the caregiver to pay attention to the infant residingwithin the infant car seat while installing and/or uninstalling theinfant car seat system in the vehicle. Fifth, the removal of thedetachable vehicle installation base from the infant car seat systemreduces the number of components the parent and/or the caregiver has tocarry and store during a journey with the infant.

Although the various features of infant car seat systems disclosedherein may particularly facilitate use of ride-hailing or ridesharingservices when transporting infants, these systems are not limited inapplicability only to ride-hailing or ridesharing services and/or hiredtransportation services. Of course, parents and/or caregivers mayreadily benefit from using the disclosed infant car seat systems intheir own vehicles—and in so doing, they would also free-up valuablespace in the back seats of their vehicles that otherwise would have beentaken up by a detachable vehicle installation base of a conventionalinfant car seat system.

In sum, one implementation is directed to an infant car seat system (100x), comprising: an infant car seat (102), having a front (102A) and abackside (102B), to carry an infant to and from a vehicle (500) andsecurely transport the infant in the vehicle with the front of theinfant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, the infant car seatcomprising: a first seat shell rail (106A) having a first curved rockerbottom (107A); a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second curvedrocker bottom (107B); a carrying handle (112); a first carrying handleattachment mechanism (114A) to attach the carrying handle to the infantcar seat; and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) toattach the carrying handle to the infant car seat; an anchor system(104) coupled to the infant car seat to secure the infant car seatdirectly to a vehicle seat (50) of the vehicle with a tight fit, withoutusing an infant car seat detachable base (20) and without using avehicle seat belt, and requiring the front of the infant car seat toface the rear of the vehicle, the anchor system comprising: a firstinfant car seat anchor (104A), mechanically coupled to and constrainedby a first portion of the first seat shell rail between the front of theinfant car seat and the first carrying handle attachment mechanism, tomechanically engage with a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicleseat; and a second infant car seat anchor (104B), mechanically coupledto and constrained by a first portion of the second seat shell railbetween the front of the infant car seat and the second carrying handleattachment mechanism, to mechanically engage with a second vehicleanchor (52B) of the vehicle seat; an adjustment foot (170) disposedproximate to the front of the infant car seat between the first seatshell rail and the second seat shell rail; at least one storage area(160) to store the first infant car seat anchor and the second infantcar seat anchor when the anchor system is not in use to secure theinfant car seat to the vehicle seat; and at least one actuator (180),coupled to the infant car seat and the anchor system, to release both ofthe first infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with thefirst vehicle anchor and the second infant car seat anchor frommechanical engagement with the second vehicle anchor via a singleactuation of the at least one actuator.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system (100),comprising: an infant car seat (102), having a front (102A) and abackside (102B), to carry an infant to and from a vehicle (500) andsecurely transport the infant in the vehicle with the front of theinfant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, the infant car seathaving a center of gravity (330A) and comprising: a carrying handle(112); a first carrying handle attachment mechanism (114A) to attach thecarrying handle to a first side of the infant car seat; and a secondcarrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) to attach the carryinghandle to a second side of the infant car seat; and an anchor system(104) coupled to the infant car seat to secure the infant car seatdirectly to a vehicle seat (50) of the vehicle with a tight fit, withoutusing an infant car seat detachable base (20) and without using avehicle seat belt over a top of the infant when the infant is in theinfant car seat for transport in the vehicle, and with the front of theinfant car seat facing the rear of the vehicle, the anchor systemcomprising: a first infant car seat anchor (104A) coupled to the infantcar seat at a first constraining point (322A) to mechanically engagewith a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; and a secondinfant car seat anchor (104B) coupled to the infant car seat at a secondconstraining point (322B) different from the first constraining point tomechanically engage with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicleseat, wherein the first constraining point and the second constrainingpoint are respectively positioned relative to the infant car seat basedat least in part on the center of gravity of at least the infant carseat so as to significantly mitigate rotation of the backside of theinfant car seat away from a seat back (56) of the vehicle seat during acrash event; and an adjustment foot (170) disposed proximate to thefront of the infant car seat to significantly mitigate rotation of thebackside of the infant car seat toward the seat back of the vehicle seatduring installation of the infant car seat in the vehicle, theadjustment foot including at least one of an adjustable telescopingmechanism or an adjustable rotating mechanism to provide adjustableleverage against at least one of the seat back or a seat pan (58) of thevehicle seat to facilitate the tight fit to the vehicle seat.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system,comprising an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and a backside(102B), the infant car seat comprising: a first seat shell rail (106A);and a second seat shell rail (106B); and an anchor system (104) coupledto the infant car seat to attach the infant car seat directly to avehicle seat (50) with a tight fit and without using an infant car seatdetachable base (20), the anchor system comprising: a rigid cross-member(104D) passing through the first seat shell rail and the second seatshell rail; a first infant car seat anchor (104A) attached to the rigidcross-member to mechanically engage with a first vehicle anchor (52A) ofthe vehicle seat, the first anchor being rotatable about a rotation axisdefined by the rigid cross-member; and a second infant car seat anchor(104B) attached to the rigid cross-member to mechanically engage with asecond vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicle seat, the second anchor beingrotatable about the rotation axis defined by the rigid cross-member.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system,comprising: an infant car seat (102), having a front (102A) and abackside (102B), to carry an infant to and from a vehicle and securelytransport the infant in the vehicle with the front of the infant carseat facing the rear of the vehicle, the infant car seat comprising: afirst seat shell rail (106A) having a first curved rocker bottom (107A);a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second curved rocker bottom(107B); a carrying handle (112); a first carrying handle attachmentmechanism (114A) to attach the carrying handle to the first seat shellrail; and a second carrying handle attachment mechanism (114B) to attachthe carrying handle to the second seat shell rail; and an anchor system(104) coupled to the infant car seat to secure the infant car seatdirectly to a vehicle seat (50) of the vehicle with a tight fit andwithout using an infant car seat detachable base (20), the anchor systemcomprising: at least one belt (104C) permanently attached to the infantcar seat, the at least one belt having an adjustable length and beingmechanically constrained by at least one of: a first portion of thefirst seat shell rail between the front of the infant car seat and thefirst carrying handle attachment mechanism; or a first portion of thesecond seat shell rail between the front of the infant car seat and thesecond carrying handle attachment mechanism; a first infant car seatanchor (104A) attached to the at least one belt to mechanically engagewith a first vehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; and a secondinfant car seat anchor (104B) attached to the at least one belt tomechanically engage with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicleseat.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system,comprising: an infant car seat (102) comprising at least one storagearea (160A); and an anchor system (104) coupled to the infant car seatto attach the infant car seat directly to a vehicle seat (50) with atight fit and without using an infant car seat detachable base (20), theanchor system comprising: at least one belt (104C) permanently attachedto the infant car seat, the at least one belt having an adjustablelength; a first infant car seat anchor (104A) attached to the at leastone belt to mechanically engage with a first vehicle anchor (52A) of thevehicle seat; and a second infant car seat anchor (104B) attached to theat least one belt to mechanically engage with a second vehicle anchor(52B) of the vehicle seat, wherein the at least one storage area of theinfant car seat facilitates storage of at least one of the first infantcar seat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor when the anchorsystem is not in use to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle seat.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system,comprising: an infant car seat (102) having a front (102A) and abackside (102B), the infant car seat comprising: a first seat shell rail(106A); a second seat shell rail (106B); and an adjustment foot (170)disposed proximate to the front of the infant car seat between the firstseat shell rail and the second seat shell rail; and an anchor system(104) coupled to the infant car seat to attach the infant car seatdirectly to a vehicle seat (50) with a tight fit and without using aninfant car seat detachable base (20), the anchor system comprising: afirst infant car seat anchor (104A) to mechanically engage with a firstvehicle anchor (52A) of the vehicle seat; and a second infant car seatanchor (104B) to mechanically engage with a second vehicle anchor (52B)of the vehicle seat.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat system,comprising: an infant car seat (102); an anchor system (104) coupled tothe infant car seat to attach the infant car seat directly to a vehicleseat (50) with a tight fit and without using an infant car seatdetachable base (20), the anchor system comprising: a first infant carseat anchor (104A) to mechanically engage with a first vehicle anchor(52A) of the vehicle seat; and a second infant car seat anchor (104C) tomechanically engage with a second vehicle anchor (52B) of the vehicleseat; and at least one actuator (180), coupled to the infant car seatand the anchor system, to release both of the first infant car seatanchor from mechanical engagement with the first vehicle anchor and thesecond infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the secondvehicle anchor upon a single actuation of the at least one actuator.

Another implementation is directed to an infant car seat (102)comprising: a first seat shell rail (106A) having a first flat bottom; afirst extendable curved rocker (190A) coupled to the first seat shellrail; a second seat shell rail (106B) having a second flat bottom; and asecond extendable curved rocker (190B) coupled to the second seat shellrail.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of theinventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated orenlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of differentfeatures. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer tolike features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similarelements).

FIG. 1A shows a conventional infant car seat system.

FIG. 1B shows a detachable vehicle installation base of the conventionalinfant car seat system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows an example of a belt anchor that may be employed in thedetachable vehicle installation base shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D shows an example of a rigid anchor that may be employed in thedetachable vehicle installation base shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A shows a vehicle in which an inventive infant car seat systemaccording to various example implementations disclosed herein isinstalled, without using a detachable vehicle installation base andwithout using a vehicle seat belt.

FIG. 2B shows an example of an infant car seat system coupled to thevehicle seat of the vehicle of FIG. 2A, according to one inventiveimplementation.

FIG. 2C shows a diagram of a typical vehicle seat and vehicle loweranchors to which the infant car seat system of FIG. 2A engages.

FIG. 2D shows a diagram of a typical vehicle seat lower anchor in thevehicle seat of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2E shows an example of infant car seat system according to anotherinventive implementation.

FIGS. 2F-1 and 2F-2 show examples of infant car seat systems accordingto other inventive implementations.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an infant car seat system similar tothat shown in FIG. 2A, in which an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) isdisposed in the infant car seat of the system.

FIGS. 3B-1, 3B-2, 3B-3 and 3B-4 show respective views representingchanges in the center of gravity of an infant car seat by itself, and acombination of the infant car seat and different ATDs disposed in theinfant car seat.

FIG. 3C shows a side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A priorto a crash event (“pre-crash” condition).

FIG. 3D shows the same side view of FIG. 3C after a crash force isapplied to the vehicle seat and the infant car seat system.

FIG. 3E shows a side view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 3Aillustrating an approximation of a reference plane used to position themechanical constraining points of the anchor system on the infant carseat.

FIG. 4A shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat systemcorresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A undergoing acrash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat ata location P1.

FIG. 4B shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat systemcorresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A undergoing acrash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat ata location P2, which is higher along the infant car seat than P1.

FIG. 4C shows a side view of an exemplary infant car seat systemcorresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 3A undergoing acrash test. The anchor system is shown coupled to the infant car seat ata location P3, which is higher along the infant car seat than P2.

FIG. 5 shows an inventive infant car seat system according to anotherexample implementation, including an integrated anchor system, a releaseactuator, a storage compartment, and an adjustment foot.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchorsystem.

FIG. 7A shows a variant of the infant car seat system of FIG. 6 wherethe seat anchor includes a twist knob to actuate the seat anchor.

FIG. 7B shows a magnified view of the seat anchor of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A shows a variant of the infant car seat system of FIG. 6 wherethe seat anchor includes a push button mechanism to actuate the seatanchor.

FIG. 8B shows a magnified view of the seat anchor of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rotatably andtranslationally adjustable rigid anchor system.

FIG. 10A shows an exploded view of an exemplary anchor system where therigid anchor is translationally adjustable with respect to a rigidcross-member.

FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the assembled anchor system of FIG.10A.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchorsystem and a release actuator mounted to the backside of the infant carseat.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rigid anchorsystem and a release actuator mounted to the carrying handle of theinfant car seat.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a side storagecompartment to store the seat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 14A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seatsystem with a telescoping anchor system and a side storage compartment.The anchor system is shown in a stored position.

FIG. 14B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system ofFIG. 14A where the anchor system is shown in an operational position.

FIG. 14C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat systemof FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14G shows a right-side view of the infant car seat system of FIG.14B.

FIG. 15A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in theinfant car seat system of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG.15A.

FIG. 15C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15F shows a right-side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A shows a top perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 14Ain a stored position.

FIG. 16B shows a top perspective view of the anchor system of FIG. 16Ain an operational position.

FIG. 16C shows a top view of the anchor system of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16D shows an exploded top perspective view of the anchor system ofFIG. 16A.

FIG. 16E shows a cross-sectional view of the anchor system correspondingto the plane A-A of FIG. 16C.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a front storagecompartment to store the seat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 18A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seatsystem with a telescoping anchor system and a front storage compartment.The anchor system is shown in a stored position.

FIG. 18B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system ofFIG. 18A where the anchor system is shown in an operational position.

FIG. 18C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat systemof FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18G shows a right-side view of the infant car seat system of FIG.18B.

FIG. 19A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in theinfant car seat system of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG.19A.

FIG. 19C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19F shows a right-side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a front storagecompartment and an anchor system with telescopic rail guides.

FIG. 21A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary infant car seatsystem with a telescoping anchor system with telescopic rail guides anda front storage compartment. The anchor system is shown in a storedposition.

FIG. 21B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system ofFIG. 21A where the anchor system is shown in an operational position.

FIG. 21C shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat systemof FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21D shows a top view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21E shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21F shows a front view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21G shows a right-side view of the infant car seat system of FIG.21A.

FIG. 21H shows a cross-sectional view of the infant car seat systemcorresponding to the plane A-A of FIG. 21D.

FIG. 22A shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat in theinfant car seat system of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22B shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat of FIG.22A.

FIG. 22C shows a top view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22D shows a bottom view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22E shows a front view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22F shows a right-side view of the infant car seat of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A shows a top perspective view of the anchor system in the infantcar seat system of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 23B shows a top view of the anchor system of FIG. 23A where thetelescopic rail guides are in a retracted position.

FIG. 23C shows an exploded top perspective view of the anchor system ofFIG. 23A.

FIG. 23D shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the anchor systemof FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23E shows a top perspective view of a telescopic rail guide in theanchor system of FIG. 23A in a retracted position.

FIG. 23F shows a top perspective view of a telescopic rail guide in theanchor system of FIG. 23A in an extended position.

FIG. 23G shows a cross-sectional view of the telescopic rail guide ofFIG. 23F corresponding to the plane A-A of FIG. 23B.

FIG. 24A shows a left-side view of a prototype infant car seat systemcorresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 24B shows a top perspective view of the infant car seat system ofFIG. 24A.

FIG. 24C shows a right-side view of the infant car seat system of FIG.24A.

FIG. 24D shows a bottom perspective view of the infant car seat systemof FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25A shows a top, left-side perspective view of a prototype infantcar seat system with a release actuator corresponding to the infant carseat system of FIG. 11 mounted to a vehicle seat.

FIG. 25B shows a magnified view of the anchor system in the infant carseat system of FIG. 25A and a vehicle seat anchor.

FIG. 25C shows a top, left-side perspective view of the infant car seatsystem of FIG. 25A removed from the vehicle seat.

FIG. 25D shows a top, front, left-side perspective view of the infantcar seat system of FIG. 25C.

FIG. 25E shows a top, front perspective view of the infant car seatsystem of FIG. 25C.

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where the belt is routed through openings in the respective seatshell rails of the infant car seat.

FIG. 27 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that is routedthrough an opening of a seat shell rail of the infant car seat.

FIG. 28 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where the belt is routed through a vehicle seat path.

FIG. 29 shows a variant of the infant car seat system of FIG. 28 thatincludes a tether on each side of the infant car seat.

FIG. 30 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that is routedthrough a portion of a vehicle seat path.

FIG. 31 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that is attachedto a seat rim of the infant car seat.

FIG. 32 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where a belt is routed through the infant car seat between a seatshell and a seat pad.

FIG. 33 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that is tightenedvia cam lock mechanism disposed on respective sides of the infant carseat.

FIG. 34 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a cam lock pulley mechanism where a strap in the cam lockpulley mechanism is anchored to the infant car seat and wrapped around abelt in the belted anchor system.

FIG. 35 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a cam lock pulley mechanism where a strap in the cam lockpulley mechanism forms a loop that is wrapped around a belt in thebelted anchor system.

FIG. 36 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a cam lock pulley mechanism where a strap in the cam lockpulley mechanism is stitched directly to a belt in the belted anchorsystem.

FIG. 37 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt and acorresponding cam lock mechanism.

FIG. 38 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem where each seat anchor has a corresponding belt that are stitchedtogether to a single cam lock mechanism.

FIG. 39A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and an integrated ratcheting mechanism.

FIG. 39B shows the infant car seat system of FIG. 39A where theratcheting mechanism is actuated.

FIG. 40 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a spring-assisted retractor and spool.

FIG. 41A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a release actuator mounted to the backside of the infant carseat.

FIG. 41B shows a diagram of the release actuator in the infant car seatsystem of FIG. 41A.

FIG. 42 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a release actuator mounted to the carrying handle of theinfant car seat.

FIG. 43 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a release actuator mounted to the side of the infant carseat.

FIG. 44 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem corresponding to the infant car seat system of FIG. 33 and arelease actuator with a cable routed inside the webbing of a belt in theanchor system.

FIG. 45 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and side storage compartments in the infant car seat to store theseat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 46 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and storage compartments located in a rocker cavity of the infantcar seat to store the seat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 47 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and one or more pins disposed on the sides exterior side of theinfant car seat to store the seat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 48 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and a front storage compartment located below the seat pan andbetween respective seat shell rails to store the seat anchors in theanchor system.

FIG. 49 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a belted anchorsystem and respective front storage compartments located in each seatshell rail to store respective seat anchors in the anchor system.

FIG. 50 shows a right-side view of an exemplary infant car seat systemwith an adjustment foot to adjust the recline angle of the infant carseat with respect to a vehicle seat.

FIG. 51A shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a telescopingadjustment foot.

FIG. 51B shows a bottom view of the infant car seat system of FIG. 51Awhere the adjustment foot is also used as storage for one or more seatanchors in an anchor system.

FIG. 52 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a rotatableadjustment foot.

FIG. 53 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with a pop out rockerfoot disposed in each seat shell rail of the infant car seat.

FIG. 54 shows an exemplary infant car seat system with an anchoringsystem that includes a mini base separate from the infant car seat forgreater portability.

FIGS. 55A, 55B, 55C and 56 illustrate flow charts, and screen shots froman app, relating to ride-hailing/ridesharing methods involving an infantcar seat system according to various implementations disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and implementations of, an infant car seat system thatincludes an infant car seat with an integrated anchor system forsecuring the infant car seat to a vehicle seat without using adetachable vehicle installation base and without using a vehicle seatbelt. It should be appreciated that various concepts introduced aboveand discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in multipleways. Examples of specific implementations and applications are providedprimarily for illustrative purposes so as to enable those skilled in theart to practice the implementations and alternatives apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

The figures and example implementations described below are not meant tolimit the scope of the present implementations to a single embodiment.Other implementations are possible by way of interchange of some or allof the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certainelements of the disclosed example implementations may be partially orfully implemented using known components, in some instances only thoseportions of such known components that are necessary for anunderstanding of the present implementations are described, and detaileddescriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted soas not to obscure the present implementations.

In the discussion below, various examples of inventive infant car seatsystems are provided, wherein a given example or set of examplesshowcases one or more particular features of an infant car seat, a rigidanchor system, a belted anchor system, a release actuator, a storagecompartment, an adjustment foot, and a pop-out rocker bottom. It shouldbe appreciated that one or more features discussed in connection with agiven example of an infant car seat system may be employed in otherexamples of infant car seat systems according to the present disclosure,such that the various features disclosed herein may be readily combinedin a given infant car seat system according to the present disclosure(provided that respective features are not mutually inconsistent).

An Infant Car Seat System with an Integrated Anchor System

FIG. 2A shows a vehicle 500 (e.g., a ride-hail or rideshare vehicle)including a vehicle seat 50 to which an inventive infant car seat system100 according to various example implementations disclosed herein isinstalled. FIG. 2A also shows a magnified view of the infant car seatsystem 100 in the vehicle seat 50 as an inset (further details of thisinset are discussed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 50).

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of an infant car seat system 100 in whichan infant car seat 102 is secured, via an integrated anchor system 104,to the vehicle seat 50 of the vehicle 500 of FIG. 2A. The vehicle seat50 has a vehicle seat back 56, a vehicle seat pan 58, and a seat bight54 (i.e., the intersection of the seat back 56 and the seat pan 58). Theanchor system 104 secures the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50without using a detachable vehicle installation base and without using avehicle seat belt (e.g., passing over the top of the legs, lap or pelvisof the infant when the infant is in the infant car seat for transport inthe vehicle). In various example implementations described in detailherein, the anchor system 104 helps ensure that installation of theinfant car seat without using a detachable base (and additionallywithout using a vehicle seat belt) nonetheless provides a tight fit tothe vehicle seat 50 that passes the CPS “inch test.”

To preliminarily highlight the manner in which the anchor system 104secures the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50, the infant carseat system 100 is shown in FIG. 2B without multiple features that maybe present in various other example implementations of the infant carseat system described in later figures (e.g., including such features asa release actuator, one or more storage compartments, and/or anadjustment foot, which are described in detail below). As shown in FIG.2A and FIG. 2B, the infant car seat 102 is secured to the vehicle seat50 in a rear-facing orientation, in which a front 102A of the infant carseat 102 faces the vehicle seat back 56 and a backside 102B of theinfant car seat 102 faces away from the vehicle seat back.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the infant car seat 102 includes a seat shell103 and a seat shell rim 108 that together define a seat back 120 and aseat pan 122, in which a seat pad is disposed to support an infant thatis placed in the seat 102. In some examples, the seat shell 103 may be asingle substantially solid or partially hollow structure defining theseat back and seat pan and supporting the seat pad for the infant(discussed further below in connection with FIGS. 2F-1 and 2F-2). Inother examples, as shown in FIG. 2B, the seat shell 103 may include seatshell rails 106A and 106B on respective opposing sides of the infant carseat 102. As can be readily observed in FIG. 2B, the seat shell rails106A and 106B are in contact with the vehicle seat pan 58 when theinfant car seat is secured to the vehicle seat 50. In someimplementations, the seat shell rails 106A and 106B may havecorresponding curved rocker bottoms 107A and 170B, respectively, toprovide for a rocking motion to comfort the infant when the infant carseat is used outside of the vehicle (e.g., in a home environment).

The infant car seat 102 in the example of FIG. 2B also includes acarrying handle 112 coupled to opposing sides of the seat shell 103(e.g., to the seat shell rails 106A and 106B) via attachment mechanisms114A and 114B. In some implementations, the attachment mechanisms 114Aand 114B may allow the carrying handle 112 to rotate with respect to theseat shell 103 to provide for access to the infant. The attachmentmechanisms 114A and 114B may also include integrated locking mechanismsto maintain the carrying handle 112 at a desired orientation withrespect to the seat shell 103.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2B, the integrated anchor system 104 ofthe infant car seat system 100 is mounted generally to a front lowerportion of the seat shell 103. In the illustrated example, the anchorsystem 104 is a rigid anchor system, whereas in other examples theanchor system may be a belted anchor system (both rigid and beltedanchor systems are described in greater detail below in connection withvarious figures). In FIG. 2B, the anchor system 104 includes a pair ofseat anchors 104A and 104B pivotably coupled to mechanical constrainingpoints 322A and 322B, respectively, on the seat shell rails 106A and106B of the seat shell 103. As discussed below, although two mechanicalconstraining points 322A and 322B are shown on respective sides of theinfant car seat 102 in FIG. 2B, in other example implementations theanchor system 104 more generally may be coupled to the infant car seatat one or more mechanical constraining points that are not necessarilypositioned on the side(s) of the infant car seat (e.g., see FIGS. 2F-1and 2F-2).

The seat anchors 104A and 104B of the anchor system 103 generally havean elongated shape (e.g., an oblong rectangle) and include a lockingmechanism (e.g., a latch) that engages with corresponding vehicle loweranchors 52A and 52B in or proximate to the seat bight 54 of the vehicleseat at anchor points 324A and 324B, respectively. In this manner, theanchor system 104 may directly couple the infant car seat 102 to thevehicle seat 50 without using a detachable vehicle installation base andwithout using a vehicle seat belt. Additionally, the seat anchors 104Aand 104B may include (or be coupled to) a release mechanism (e.g., abutton, a knob, a slidable tab) to unlatch the seat anchors 104A and104B from the vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B for removal of the infantcar seat system from the vehicle. In various implementations, the seatanchors 104A and 104B and the vehicle lower anchors 52A and 52B may beconfigured to meet well-established safety standards and/or regulations,examples of which include, but not limited to, LATCH, ISOFIX, LUAS, andUCSS standards.

In example implementations (e.g., as discussed further below inconnection with FIGS. 3A and 3C), the seat anchors 104A and 104B areconfigured and arranged, and the mechanical constraining point(s) forthe anchor system 104 is/are particularly positioned, for relativelyeasy engagement with the vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B located in orproximate to the seat bight 54 so as to facilitate installation of theinfant car seat system in the vehicle. Furthermore, the seat anchors104A and 104B are configured and arranged, and the mechanicalconstraining point(s) is/are particularly positioned, such that uponengagement of the seat anchors 104A and 104B with the vehicle loweranchors 52A and 52B, there is a tight fit between the infant car seatsystem 100 and the vehicle seat 50 (e.g., the installed infant car seatsystem passes the CPS “inch test”).

In one aspect, the seat anchors 104A and 104B in the anchor system 104are arranged to facilitate alignment with standard arrangements ofvehicle lower anchors 52A and 52B in the vehicle seat 50. For example,FIG. 2C shows a diagram of a standard vehicle seat 50 with three sets(pairs) of vehicle lower anchors 52A-52B, 52C-52D, and 52E-52F. As shownin FIG. 2C, the respective pairs of vehicle lower anchors are disposedin or proximate to the seat bight 54 of the vehicle seat 50 between thevehicle seat back 56 and the vehicle seat pan 58. Given the location ofthe vehicle lower anchors in or proximate to the seat bight 54 of thevehicle seat, the anchor system 104 of the infant car seat system 100generally is positioned on a front lower portion of the seat shell 103to facilitate a convenient connection with the vehicle lower anchors(e.g., the seat anchors 104A and 104B respectively are positioned alongfront lower sides of the first and second seat shell rails 106A and106B).

In FIG. 2C, each pair of vehicle lower anchors 52A-52B, 52C-52D, and52E-52F corresponds to a particular seating position on the vehicle seat50 (i.e., left, center, and right seating positions). The relativepositions of the respective vehicle lower anchors 52A-52F are definedwith respect to a seating reference point (SgRP) according to 49 CFR §571.3. As shown, the nominal center-to-center distance between a pair ofvehicle lower anchors at a given seating position (e.g., the distance“d” between the pair of lower anchors 52E-52F) is about 280 mm. Thus,the seat anchors 104A and 104B in the anchor system 104 may be similarlyarranged to have a center-to-center distance of about 280 mm.

FIG. 2D further shows a magnified view of an individual vehicle loweranchor 52. As shown, the vehicle lower anchor 52 may be a U-shaped railwith a nominal width that ranges between about 25 mm and about 60 mm.The seat anchors 104A and 104B of the anchor system 104 may beconfigured to attach to the smallest-sized vehicle seat anchor 52 toensure compatibility across different vehicle seats 50 for differentmakes and/or models of vehicles.

FIG. 2E and FIGS. 2F-1 and 2F-2 illustrate inventive infant car seatsystems 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 according to other exampleimplementations. FIG. 2E is a system 100-1 substantially similar to thatshown in FIG. 2B but includes a differently configured anchor system104-1, in which the seat anchors 104A and 104B are formed as a unitarystructure that is pivotably coupled to the mechanical constrainingpoints 322A and 322B on the respective seat shell rails of the infantcar seat 102-1. In FIGS. 2F-1 and 2F-2, the respective infant car seats102-2 and 102-3 do not have respective seat shell rails; instead, theseinfant car seats 102-2 and 102-3 respectively have seat shells 103-2 and103-3, each of which is a single substantially solid or partially hollowstructure defining the seat back and seat pan and supporting the seatpad for the infant. In the example system 100-2 shown in FIG. 2F-1, theanchor system 104-2 is a rigid anchor system pivotably coupled to amechanical constraining point 322-2 on the front portion of the seatshell 103-2. In the example system 100-3 shown in FIG. 2F-2, the anchorsystem 104-3 is a belted anchor system pivotably and flexibly coupled toa mechanical constraining point 322-3 on the front portion of the seatshell 103-3.

In various examples of infant car seat systems discussed herein, theanchor system 104 serves as the direct physical link between the vehicleseat 50 and the infant car seat 102, and the seat anchors 104A and 104Bprovide the only restraints to secure the infant car seat 102 to thevehicle seat 50 in the event of a vehicle crash event. In particular,the example systems disclosed herein not only obviate the need for adetachable vehicle installation base or a vehicle seat belt to securethe infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50, but further they do notrequire or include other restraining devices, such as a tether (e.g., atop tether strap attached to the backside of the infant car seat toattach the infant car seat to a top tether anchor in the vehicle) or aload leg (e.g., a support leg between the infant car seat 102 and thefloor of the vehicle).

Thus, the placement and orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B inrelation to the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle seat 50 determines,at least in part, the various forces exerted on the infant car seat 102during a crash event (e.g., forces that would be exerted on an infant'shead and chest, as well as the rotational displacement of the seat back120 of the infant car seat with respect to vertical) and the kinematicsof the infant car seat system resulting from such forces. With theforegoing in mind, in one aspect the anchor system is pivotably coupledto one or more particularly positioned mechanical constraining points,based in part on the center of gravity of the infant car seat, so as tosignificantly mitigate rotation of the backside of the infant car seataway from the back of the vehicle seat during a crash event (and alsonotably reduce other injury criteria relating to forces that would beexerted on the infant's head and chest).

With improved crash performance and reduced injury criteria in mind, asnoted above the placement and orientation of the seat anchors 104A and104B also takes into consideration ease of use and convenience issuesfor parents and/or caregivers by facilitating engagement of the seatanchors 104A and 104B with respective vehicle lower anchors 52A and 52B.Moreover, the placement and orientation of the seat anchors 104A and104B ensures a tight fit of the infant car seat to the vehicle car seatsuch that the installation passes the CPS “inch test.” Thus, improvedcrash performance and reduced injury criteria, a tight fit to thevehicle, and ease of installation are all realized by appropriatepositioning of one or more constraining points at which the anchorsystem is pivotably coupled to the infant car seat.

In FIG. 2B, a center of gravity 330A of the infant car seat is indicatednear the intersection of the seat back 120 and the seat pan 122 of theinfant car seat 102, which approximately coincides with an axis 328passing through the respective attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. Aswould be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art, the center ofgravity of an object is a point from which the weight of a body orsystem may be considered to act (in uniform gravity, the center ofgravity is the same as the center of mass of an object/system). In theexample system of FIG. 2B, the axis 328 is taken to suitably approximatea projection of the center of gravity 330A toward the respective sidesof the infant car seat 102.

As can be readily observed in the perspective view of FIG. 2B, a firstconstraining point 322A for the first seat anchor 104A and a secondconstraining point 322B for the second seat anchor 104B are positionedcloser to the front 102A of the infant car seat than to the backside102B of the infant car seat. More specifically, the first constrainingpoint 322A is positioned between the front of the infant car seat andthe first carrying handle attachment mechanism 114A, and the secondconstraining point 322B is positioned between the front of the infantcar seat and the second carrying handle attachment mechanism 114B. Asalso shown in FIG. 2B, the first infant car seat anchor 104A has a firstconnection end 324A that mechanically engages with the first vehiclelower anchor 52A and defines a first anchor point when the system isinstalled in the vehicle, and the second infant car seat anchor 104B hasa second connection end 324B that mechanically engages with the secondvehicle lower anchor 52B and defines a second anchor point when thesystem is installed in the vehicle.

In FIG. 2B, a line 326B is drawn to extend from the attachment hub 114B,passing through the axis 328 and the second connection end 324B of thesecond seat anchor 104B, to the vehicle lower anchor 52B. In exampleimplementations, the second constraining point 322B is positioned abovethe line 326B. While not visible in the perspective view of FIG. 2B, asimilar line may be drawn on the opposite side of the infant car seat(i.e., to extend from the attachment hub 114A, passing through the axis328 and the first connection end 324A of the first seat anchor 104A, tothe vehicle lower anchor 52A), and the first constraining point 322A maybe positioned above this line. The placement of the mechanicalconstraining points 322A and 322B above these lines is based in part onimproving crash performance and reducing injury criteria inconsideration of the center of gravity, as well as ensuring a tight fitbetween the infant car seat system and the vehicle seat. These conceptsare further explained with the assistance of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an infant car seat system 100similar to that shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in which ananthropomorphic test device (ATD) 40 is disposed in the infant car seat102 of the system 100 (and the vehicle seat 50 is not shown tofacilitate clarity). As noted above, in example implementations, one ormore mechanical constraining points for the respective seat anchors 104Aand 104B (e.g., the points 322A and 322B) may be based at least in parton a center of gravity 330A of the infant car seat itself (see FIG. 2B)or on a combined center of gravity 330B of the infant car seat and anATD 40 disposed in the infant car seat (as shown in FIG. 3A). In oneimplementation discussed further below in connection with FIG. 3E, thecenter of gravity on which the mechanical constraining point(s) for theseat anchors is/are based alternatively may be sufficiently approximatedby a seat pan offset and a seat back offset of the infant car seat.Generally speaking, as noted above, the mechanical constraining point(s)for the seat anchors is/are respectively positioned to significantlyimprove crash performance and reduce injury criteria of the infant carseat, without using a tether strap attached to the backside of theinfant car seat to attach the infant car seat to a top tether anchor inthe vehicle and without using a load leg between the infant car seat anda floor of the vehicle.

In FIG. 3A, the infant car seat 102 has a longitudinal plane 332 (alsoreferred to as a “sagittal plane”) that divides the infant car seat intoright and left parts. An axis 320 (labeled as CG) is shown perpendicularto the longitudinal plane of the infant car seat and passing through thecenter of gravity 330B; similarly, an axis A passes through anchorpoints defined by the first connection end 324A and the secondconnection end 324B of the respective seat anchors 104A and 104B, and anaxis P passes through the first and second constraining points 322A and322B. These three axes define three planes in addition to thelongitudinal plane 332, namely, the plane A-P, the plane P-CG, and theplane A-CG. This latter plane A-CG is referred to herein as a lowerconstraining boundary plane 310.

More specifically, the lower constraining boundary plane 310 of theinfant car seat is defined by the axis 320, the first connection end324A of the first infant car seat anchor 104A when engaged with thefirst vehicle anchor 52A, and the second connection end 324B of thesecond infant car seat anchor 104B when engaged with the second vehicleanchor 52B. As readily observed in FIG. 3A, the first constraining point322A and the second constraining point 322B, through which the axis Ppasses, are above the lower constraining boundary plane 310.

In FIG. 3A, the center of gravity 330B relates to the combination of theinfant car seat and the ATD 40; however, as noted above, for purposes ofdefining the lower constraining boundary plane 310, the center ofgravity 330A of the infant car seat itself (see FIG. 2B) may bealternatively used. Furthermore, in implementations in which the centerof gravity 330B of the combination of the ATD 40 and the infant car seatsystem is used, the ATD 40 may be one of multiple different types ofATD's representative of the different ages and/or sizes of infants thatmay be placed into the infant car seat 102.

As a general observation, the Inventors have recognized and appreciatedthat although the center of gravity changes between the infant car seatitself and the combination of the infant car seat with different ATDs,these changes are relatively nominal with respect to one another. Inparticular, the center of gravity of the infant car seat itself providesa suitable reference for effectively defining the lower constrainingboundary plane 310 and, in turn, the particular placement of themechanical constraining points 322A and 322B to sufficiently improvecrash performance and reduce injury criteria. That said, these resultsmay in some instances be even further improved when using the center ofgravity of the combination of the infant car seat with different ATDs todefine the lower constraining boundary plane 310. To this end, in oneexample implementation the ATD 40 may be chosen such that the axis 320through the center of gravity of the combination of the infant car seatand the ATD is at its highest and forward-most position along the infantcar seat 102. Examples of different ATDs that may be used in combinationwith the infant car seat to establish a center of gravity for thesepurposes include, but are not limited to, a newborn test dummy, asix-month old infant test dummy, a nine-month old child test dummy, aChild Restraint Air Bag Interaction (CRABI) 12-month-old test dummy, ora Hybrid III three-year old child test dummy, as defined in the U.S.Code of Federal Regulations, 49 C.F.R. § 572, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference (a newborn test dummy is defined inSubpart K, §§ 572.90, 572.91; a six-month old infant test dummy isdefined in Subpart D, § 572.25; a nine-month old child test dummy isdefined in Subpart J, §§ 572.80-572.86; a 12-month-old CRABI test dummyis defined in Subpart R, §§ 572.150-572.155; and a Hybrid III three-yearold child test dummy is defined in Subpart P, §§ 572.140-572.146).

FIGS. 3B-1, 3B-2, 3B-3 and 3B-4 show respective side views illustratingchanges in the center of gravity of an infant car seat by itself, and acombination of the infant car seat and different ATDs disposed in theinfant car seat. More specifically, FIG. 3B-1 shows an infant car seatby itself and an axis 320A running perpendicular to the longitudinalplane through the infant car seat (i.e., which is parallel to the planeof the figure) and through the center of gravity. Similarly, FIG. 3B-2shows a combination of an infant car seat and a newborn test dummy andan axis 320B running through the center of gravity of the combination,FIG. 3B-3 shows a combination of an infant car seat and a 12-month oldCRABI test dummy and an axis 320C running through the center of gravityof the combination, and FIG. 3B-4 shows a combination of an infant carseat and a Hybrid III three-year old child test dummy and an axis 320Drunning through the center of gravity of the combination. According toFMVSS-213, only a newborn and a 12-month-old CRABI test dummy isrequired for crash testing; however, a Hybrid III three-year old childtest dummy is often utilized as well to ensure compliance with FMVSS-213crash test requirements for completeness. In any event, as may bereadily observed in these figures, changes in center of gravity arerelatively nominal, particularly with respect to the carrier handleattachment mechanism 114B (such that the axis 328 shown in FIG. 2Bthrough the carrier handle attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B is, insome example implementations, a suitable approximation for the axis 320shown in FIG. 3A).

FIG. 3C is a side view of the infant car seat system 100 shown in FIG.3A with the ATD 40 placed therein. In FIG. 3C, the infant car seatsystem 100 is secured to the vehicle seat 50 with a tight fit and in anormal vehicle-operating position representative of a “pre-crash”condition (i.e., prior to a crash event). As in the FIG. 3B series offigures, the longitudinal plane (sagittal plane) through the infant carseat 102 is not explicitly shown, as it is parallel to the plane of thefigure. Accordingly, the lower constraining boundary plane 310 is viewedalong a side of the plane and thus appears as a line in the side view ofFIG. 3C. FIG. 3C also shows that an upper constraining boundary plane312 of the infant car seat may be defined to be perpendicular to thelower constraining boundary plane 310 and includes the axis 320 (passingthrough the center of gravity 330B). In the example of FIG. 3C, thefirst constraining point 322A and the second constraining point 322B areparticularly positioned above the lower constraining boundary plane 310and, more specifically, between the lower constraining boundary plane310 and the upper constraining boundary plane 312.

FIG. 3C also shows an arrow indicating the direction of a crash forceduring a crash event. As a further illustration, FIG. 3D shows theresultant displacement of the infant car seat system 100 and the ATD 40after a crash force is applied. Although the backside of the infant carseat rotates away from the seat back of the vehicle seat 50 in FIG. 3Dupon application of the crash force, the particular positioning of thefirst and second constraining points 322A and 322B above the lowerconstraining boundary plane 310 and, more specifically, between thelower constraining boundary plane 310 and the upper constrainingboundary plane 312, ensures that the rotational displacement of the seatback of the infant car seat during a crash event is less than 70 degreesrelative to vertical.

As also may be observed in FIG. 3C, the Inventors have recognized andappreciated that further refinements of the particular positioning ofthe constraining points 322A and 322B relative to the axis 320 throughthe center of gravity and, more specifically, the lower constrainingboundary plane 310, lead to not only favorable improvements in crashperformance and reduced injury criteria, but also to ease ofinstallation and tight fit of the infant car seat to the vehicle seat.To this end, FIG. 3C also shows a vertical plane 375 passing through theseat bight 54 of the vehicle seat 50 (the vertical plane 375 is viewedon edge in FIG. 3C and is normal to the plane of the figure). In exampleimplementations, the positioning of one or more constraining points atwhich the anchor system is pivotably coupled to the infant car seat(e.g., the constraining points 322A and 322B) is not only between thelower constraining boundary plane 310 and the upper constrainingboundary plane 312, but between the vertical plane 375 through the seatbight 54 and the lower constraining boundary plane 310. By ensuring thatthe constraining point(s) is/are not positioned in the area between theseat back 56 and the vertical plane 375 through the seat bight 54,pivoting of the car seat during installation and thereafter (which mayallow for excessive space between the seat back 56 and the infant carseat 102) is significantly mitigated. This in turn provides for aninstallation with a tight fit between the infant car seat and thevehicle seat that passes the CPS “inch test.”

FIG. 3E shows another side view of the infant car seat system 100 ofFIG. 3A to illustrate a suitable approximation of the lower constrainingboundary plane 310A based on a seat pan offset and a seat back offset ofthe infant car seat 102. In one aspect, approximating the lowerconstraining boundary plane in this manner is based on observing thechanges in center of gravity illustrated in FIGS. 3B-1 through 3B-4 andtaking an average measurement of these changes relative to the seat backand the seat pan of the infant car seat, with the proviso that the seatback is at an angle in a range of between 40 degrees and 60 degrees withrespect to horizontal when the infant car seat is secured to the vehicleseat of the vehicle.

More specifically, in the example of FIG. 3E, the approximated lowerconstraining boundary plane 310A of the infant car seat is defined by aseat back offset 334 from a seat back plane sufficiently approximating acontour of the seat back of the infant car seat. Based on multiplemeasurements using different ATDs 40, in one example a suitable seatback offset is approximately seven centimeters (presuming that the seatback plane is at an angle in a range of between 40 degrees and 60degrees with respect to horizontal when the infant car seat is securedto the vehicle seat of the vehicle). Furthermore, an approximated upperconstraining boundary plane 312A is defined by a seat pan offset 336from a seat pan plane sufficiently approximating a contour of the seatpan of the infant car seat. Based on multiple measurements usingdifferent ATDs 40, in one example a suitable seat pan offset isapproximately twenty-two centimeters.

As noted above, particularly positioning the mechanical constrainingpoints 322A and 322B based on the various considerations discussed abovesignificantly increases crash test performance and reduces injurycriteria for the infant car seat system 100. To illustrate the efficacyof particularly positioning the mechanical constraining points, FIGS.4A-4C show successive images of respective test infant car seat systems100 t-1, 100 t-2, and 100 t-3 attached to a vehicle seat without adetachable vehicle installation base, and their associated injurycriteria. As shown in these figures, the infant car seat 102 of eachtest system is coupled to a vehicle seat 50 via an anchor system 104 andthe locations of the mechanical constraining points 322A and 322B arevaried in each test system with respect to the lower constrainingboundary plane 310. Testing of the system is performed pursuant to thevarious criteria set forth in FMVSS-213.

FIG. 4A shows one test example where the mechanical constraining point322B, as well as the mechanical constraining point 322A (not visible inthe side view) are located below the lower constraining boundary plane310, which resulted in a HIC (Head Injury Criterion) value of 479, achest G force of 54.3 G, and a seat back rotational displacement of 71.1degrees from vertical. Thus, this test example exhibited inferior crashtest performance and, in particular, a seat back rotational displacementin excess of 70 degrees from vertical.

FIG. 4B shows another test example where the mechanical constrainingpoints 322B and 322A are located above the lower constraining boundaryplane 310. In this case, the infant car seat system yielded an improvedHIC value of 411, an improved chest G force of 51.2 G, and an improvedseat back rotational displacement of 69.2 degrees from vertical, all ofwhich values are lower than the first case depicted in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4Cshows yet another test example where the mechanical constraining points322B and 322A are located even higher above the lower constrainingboundary plane 310, resulting in an improved HIC value of 396, animproved chest G force of 47.1 G, and an improved seat back rotationaldisplacement of 67.5 degrees from vertical. Based on FIGS. 4A-4C, theATD 40 is subjected to progressively smaller magnitude forces and asmaller rotational displacement of the seat back 120 of the infant carseat as the mechanical constraining points 322A and 322B are positionedfrom below to above (and then higher above) the lower constrainingboundary plane 310.

An Infant Car Seat System with Enhanced Features for Safety, Comfort andConvenience

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary infant car seat 100 x that includesmultiple additional inventive features, beyond those discussed above inconnection with FIG. 2A and FIGS. 3A-3E, relating to the safety andcomfort of an infant as well as convenience for a parent and/orcaregiver transporting the infant. Examples of such features which arediscussed in turn below in greater detail, include a release actuator180, a storage compartment 160, and an adjustment foot 170 integratedinto the infant car seat 102. In one aspect, these additional features,employed respectively or in various combinations in differentimplementations of inventive infant car seat systems, provide multipleadvantages that facilitate use of the infant car seat systems withride-hailing/ridesharing services.

As noted above, the infant car seat 102 shown in FIG. 5 is configured tobe a rear-facing seat with a frontside 102A facing the vehicle seat 50and a backside 102B facing away from the vehicle seat 50 when installedin a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 500 shown in FIG. 2A). The infant carseat 102 includes the seat shell 103 and the seat shell rim 108 definingthe seat back 120 and the seat pan 122 to support a seat pad and theinfant. The seat shell 103 further includes seat shell rails 106A and106B that have curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B, respectively. Acarrying handle 112 is mounted to the seat shell 103 via attachmentmechanisms 114A and 114B. An anchor system 104 is mounted to the seatshell 103 to couple the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 viathe seat anchors 104A and 104B.

The release actuator 180 provides a quick disconnect mechanism to removethe infant car seat system 100 from the vehicle. The release actuator180 may be integrated into the infant car seat 102 and include a cable184 coupled to one or both of the seat anchors 104A and 104B and anactuator handle 182. When a parent and/or a caregiver wants to removethe infant car seat system 100 from the vehicle, they may actuate theactuator handle 182, which, in turn, actuates the release mechanism ofthe seat anchors 104A and 104B, thus releasing the seat anchors 104A and104B from the vehicle seat anchors 52A and 52B. In this manner, therelease actuator 180 may appreciably reduce the time to uninstall theinfant car seat system 100, which may be especially beneficial when aparent and/or a caregiver traveling with an infant is using aride-hailing or ridesharing service.

One or more storage compartments 160 provide space(s) within and/or onthe infant car seat 102 to store various components of the anchor system104, such as the seat anchors 104A and 104B, when not in use. Thestorage compartment 160 may thus reduce the number of dangling orprotruding parts on the infant car seat 102, thus reducing the risk thatthe infant car seat system 100 gets caught on other portions of thevehicle (e.g., the door, the front seat pockets) when transferring theinfant car seat system 100 into and/or out of the vehicle. Additionally,the storage compartment(s) 160 may allow the infant car seat 102 toretain a substantially similar shape and/or dimensions to previousinfant car seats so that the infant car seat 102 may be readilyinstalled onto other unmodified transport devices, such as a stroller.Furthermore, the storage compartment(s) 160 may reduce the risk of theanchor system 104 being damaged when not in use.

The adjustment foot 170 is mounted proximate to the front of the infantcar seat 102 to mitigate rotation of the backside 120 of the infant carseat toward the back of the vehicle seat during installation of theinfant car seat system in the vehicle. In this manner, the adjustmentfoot helps a parent and/or caregiver to position the infant car seat inthe vehicle so as to maintain the comfort of the infant, more easilyalign and engage the anchor system 104 with the vehicle lower anchors,and at the same time provide leverage against the seat pan of thevehicle seat to facilitate a tight fit to the vehicle seat. Theadjustment foot 170 is also particularly useful to compensate for thecurved profile of the rocker bottoms 107A and 107B to ensure that areliable, tight fit with the vehicle seat is achieved according to ChildPassenger Safety (CPS) guidelines (e.g., the infant car seatinstallation passes the CPS “inch test”).

With reference again to the inset of FIG. 2A (and as discussed ingreater detail below in connection with FIG. 50), typically the vehicleseat pan 56 may be inclined relative to a horizontal plane at an angle,α₁, that ranges between about 6 degrees and about 23 degrees. To ensurethe comfort and safety of the infant, the infant car seat 102 and, inparticular, the seat back 120 should be inclined relative to thehorizontal plane at an angle, α₂, that ranges between about 40 degreesand about 60 degrees. As shown, the adjustment foot 170 may be mountedto the front, bottom portion of the infant car seat 102 in order toprovide leverage to adjust the recline angle, α₂, of the seat back 120.In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170 may also be used toensure a tight fit between the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat50, for example, by providing leverage for the infant car seat 102 tostably sit on the vehicle seat pan 56, particularly if the seat shellrails 106A and 106B have curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B.

In the following sections of the present disclosure, further details ofthe various features of the infant car seat system 100 x will bedescribed in turn. It should be appreciated that these features may beused alone or in various combinations with other features describedherein. Additional details will also be provided regarding theunderlying mechanical considerations for different variants of aparticular features, particularly when integrated into a rigid or abelted anchor system.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Rigid Anchor System

Various types of anchor systems 104 may be integrated onto the infantcar seat 102. For example, FIG. 6 shows an exemplary infant car seatsystem 100 a-1 with a rigid anchor system 104 a. The infant car seatsystem 100 a-1 may include an infant car seat 102 with many of the samefeatures previously described in relation to the infant car seat system100 x. For brevity, a detailed description of the various featuresassociated with the infant car seat 102 will not be repeated here, butit should be appreciated one or more of the features described above mayalso be incorporated into the infant car seat 102 in the infant car seatsystem 100 a-1.

The rigid anchor system 104 a may include the seat anchors 104A and 104Bas before to couple the infant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat anchors52A and 52B of the vehicle seat 50. In this example, the seat anchors104A and 104B may be coupled together via a rigid crossmember 104D. Insome implementations, the cross member 104D may be a single part. Insome implementations, the cross member 104D may be an assembly ofmultiple parts, which may be further configured to provide additionaladjustment axes (e.g., telescopic adjustment to adjust the spacingbetween the seat anchors 104A and 104B).

As shown in FIG. 6, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may generally bedisposed on the outer exterior of the infant car seat 102 (e.g., theouter sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B) and the crossmember104D may be routed through respective openings 116A and 116B in the seatshell rails 106A and 106B for connection to the infant car seat 102. Theopenings 116A and 116B may thus define the mechanical constrainingpoints 322A and 322B and, hence, may be located along the seat shellrails 106A and 106B in accordance to the above description regardingimprovements to safety of the infant car seat system 100 in the event ofa collision.

In some implementations, the rigid anchor system 104 a may be rigidlyfixed to the infant car seat 102. In other words, the orientation of theseat anchors 104A and 104B with respect to the seat shell 103 may not bechanged by the parent and/or the caregiver. In some implementations, therigid anchor system 104 a may be movable with respect to the infant carseat 102 to provide parents and/or caregivers a way to adjust theposition and/or orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B to betterfit a particular vehicle seat 50.

For example, FIG. 6 shows the rigid anchor system 104 a may be rotatablyadjustable with respect to the infant car seat 102 about a rotation axis300 that coincides with the center points of the openings 116A and 116B.In some implementations, the rotatable adjustment of the rigid anchorsystem 104 a may be accomplished, in part, by utilizing circular-shapedopenings 116A and 116B and a crossmember 104D with a circular-shapedcross-section along at least the portions that physically contact theinfant car seat 102. In some implementations, a bearing may beincorporated into each of the openings 116A and 116B so that the anchorsystem 104 a may smoothly rotate with respect to the infant car seat 102and/or to reduce the wear between the cross member 104D and the seatshell rails 106A and 106B. The bearings may also allow the openings 116Aand 116B and/or the crossmembers 104D to have a non-circular shapeincluding, but not limited to an ellipse, a polygon (e.g., a square, ahexagon), and any combinations of the foregoing.

In some implementations, the infant car seat system 100 a-1 may includea locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the seat anchors 104A and 104Bat a desired rotational position relative to the infant car seat 102.For example, the locking mechanism may be a ratcheting mechanism thatlocks the seat anchors 104A and 104B at set increments. In anotherexample, the locking mechanism include a thumbscrew that locks the seatanchors 104A and 104B when sufficiently tightened via friction. In someimplementations, the locking mechanism may further enable the seatanchors 104A and 104B to be used as a recline adjustment mechanism. Forexample, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be rotated to larger inclineangles so that the contact point between the curved bottom rockers 107Aand 107B of the infant car seat 102 and the vehicle seat pan 56 movesfurther towards the backside 102B of the infant car seat 102.

As described above, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may include anintegrated latching mechanism to couple to the vehicle seat anchors 52Aand 52B. The seat anchors 104A and 104B may further include a releasemechanism to allow a parent and/or a caregiver to manually release theseat anchors 104A and 104B from the vehicle seat 50. In someimplementations, each seat anchor 104A and 104B may include a respectiverelease mechanism, such as a push, twist, or pull actuated releasemechanism or a spring-loaded gate, that releases the seat anchors 104Aand 104B separately.

In some implementations, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may bemechanically coupled together such that a single release mechanismreleases both the seat anchors 104A and 104B at the same time. Forexample, FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exemplary infant car seat system 100a-2 with a rigid anchor system 104 b that incorporates a twist releasemechanism. Specifically, FIG. 7B shows the seat anchor 104B may includea latch 130 mechanically coupled to a release knob 133 via linkagemembers 131 and 132. The knob 133 may be disposed on the outward sidesof the seat anchors 104A and 104B for greater ease of access. A spring(not shown) may be incorporated into the seat anchor 104B to apply aspring bias (e.g., a torque) that keeps the latch 130 closed. When theknob 133 is sufficiently rotated, a counteracting torque may be appliedto the latch 130 that causes the latch 130 to open.

As shown, the knob 133 on the seat anchor 104B may be coupled to acorresponding knob 133 on the seat anchor 104A via a rod 129. The rod129 may be positioned such that both knobs 133 rotate together when asingle knob 133 is actuated. In this manner, the parent and/or caregiveronly has to actuate one knob 133 on either side of the infant car seat102 to release the infant car seat system 100 b from the vehicle seat50. In some implementations, the rod 129 may be disposed within thecrossmember 104D. In some implementations, the rod 129 may function asthe crossmember 104D in the anchor system 104 b.

In another example, FIGS. 8A and 8B show an exemplary infant car seatsystem 100 a-3 with a rigid anchor system 104 c that incorporates a pushbutton release mechanism. In particular, FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectionalview of the seat anchor 104B in the anchor system 104 c. As shown, theseat anchor 104B may include a latch 130 that is rotatably coupled to alinkage member 136 via a pin 135. The linkage member 136 may include ahook that engages a notch 137 on the rod 129. The rod 129 may include anintegrated button 138 that protrudes outwards from the seat anchor 104B.When the button 138 is pressed, the rod 129 slides horizontally inwardstowards the seat anchor 104A causing the hook on the linkage member 136to contact a ramped surface in the notch 137. This, in turn, causes therod 129 to pull against the linkage member 136, thus rotating the latch130 into an open position for release.

The notch 137 may include two ramped surfaces that are disposed onopposing sides of the hook in the linkage member 136 when the latch 130is in a closed position. If the button 138 on the seat anchor 104A ispressed, the rod 129 may slide horizontally outwards away from the seatanchor 104A again causing the linkage member 136 to translate and, inturn the latch 130 to rotate into an open position. In this manner, theparent and/or the caregiver may press the button 138 on either the seatanchors 104A and 104B to release both seat anchors at the same time.

The anchor system 104 c may include a spring (not shown) to provide arestoring force that maintains the rod 129 at a position where the hookin the linkage member 136 is centered about the notch 137, thus keepingthe latch 130 in a close position. For example, a spring may be disposedinside the seat anchor 104B and connected at one end to the housing ofthe seat anchor 104B and at another end to the rod 129. The spring maybe configured to be in a neutral state (i.e., no compression, notension) when the linkage member 136 is centered about the notch 137 inorder to provide a restoring force when the rod 129 is displaced alongan inwards or outwards direction. In some implementations, the rod 129may further include a lip 128 that acts as a mechanical stop to preventthe rod 129 from being displaced beyond a desired displacement (e.g.,the depth of the button 138).

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 b with a rigidanchor system 100 a that is rotationally and translationally adjustablewith respect to the infant car seat 102 in order to provide additionaladjustment axes to position and/or orient the seat anchors 104A and 104Bto better fit a vehicle seat 50. As shown, the openings 116A and 116Bmay be shaped as slots to allow the cross member 104D and, by extension,the seat anchors 104A and 104B to translate along a translation axis 302defined by the openings 116A and 116B. The openings 116A and 116B mayalso allow the crossmember 104D to rotate about the rotation axis 300,which moves with the crossmember 104D as the anchor system 104 a istranslationally displaced.

Similar to the infant car seat system 100 a-1, the translational motionof the anchor system 104 a in the infant car seat system 100 b may beaccomplished, in part, by the crossmember 104D being shaped to have asimilar width as the slotted openings 116A and 116B, thus constrainingthe motion of the anchor system 104 a to a path defined by the openings116A and 116B. In FIG. 9, the openings 116A and 116B are depicted asdefining a translation axis 302 oriented substantially along ahorizontal plane (e.g., from the frontside 102A of the infant car seat102 to the backside 102B). However, it should be appreciated the slottedopenings 116A and 116B may be oriented at different angles relative tothe horizontal plane (e.g., the slot may be oriented at 30 degrees, 45degrees, or 60 degrees incline).

In some implementations, the orientation of the slotted openings 116Aand 116B may depend, in part, on the location of the openings 116A and116B on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. For example, the openings116A and 116B may be more inclined when the openings 116A and 116B arepositioned higher on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In someimplementations, the slotted openings 116A and 116B may also define acurved path for the anchor system 104 a to slide along.

In some implementations, only the seat anchors 104A and 104B of therigid anchor system 104 a may be translationally adjustable with respectto the infant car seat 102 instead of the entire anchor system 104 a. Inother words, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be translationallyadjustable relative to the crossmember 104D and the crossmember 104D mayremain fixed in location on the infant car seat 102.

For example, FIGS. 10A and 10B show an exemplary anchor system 104 dwhere the seat anchor 104A includes a slot 139 located on an opposingend from the connection end 105A and the crossmember 104D includes arail 140 that is slidably coupled to the slot 139. As shown, the rail140 may have a square-shaped end so that the seat anchor 104A maytranslate along the slot 139 without rotation. In this manner, the seatanchor 104A and the crossmember 104D may rotate together as before inthe anchor system 104 a. It should be appreciated the rail 140 is notlimited to a square-shape end, but instead may have other shapesincluding, but not limited to other polygons (e.g., a hexagon, anoctagon). Additionally, the slot 139 may not be limited to defining alinear path, but instead may define a curved path along which the seatanchor 104A may slide relative to the crossmember 104D.

In some implementations, one or more mechanical stops may be coupled tothe slot 139 after the rail 140 is inserted into the slot 139 to ensurethe seat anchor 104A does not detach from the crossmember 104D whenused. In some implementations, at least one mechanical stop may beintegrated into the seat anchor 104A along a portion of the slot 139.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Rigid Anchor System and a ReleaseActuator

In some implementations, the infant car seat system may include arelease actuator 180, which provides a quick disconnect mechanism toremove the infant car seat system from the vehicle. The integration ofthe release actuator 180 into the infant car seat system may depend, inpart, on the type of anchor system 104 (e.g., a rigid anchor system, abelted anchor system) used. In the case of a rigid anchor system,release actuator 180 may generally include a cable 184 that is routedthrough various portions of the infant car seat 102 for attachment withthe seat anchors 104A and 104D. The cable 184 may be coupled at one endto the release mechanism of each seat anchor and coupled at another endto an actuator handle 182.

For example, FIG. 11 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 c-1with a release actuator 182 where the cable 184 is disposed along abottom portion of the infant car seat 102 (e.g., the bottom of the seatback 120) and the actuator handle 184 is disposed on the backside 102Bof the seat shell 103. As shown, the cable 184 may be routed through theseat shell rail 106, protruding outwards from an opening (not shown)proximate to the seat anchor 104B and attached to the release mechanismof the seat anchor 104B. The length of the cable 184 exposed outside theinfant car seat 102 may be kept sufficiently small to prevent the cable184 from being hooked onto another object in the vehicle, which maycause an accidental release. A corresponding cable 184 (not shown) maybe routed in a similar manner through the seat shell rail 106A andattached to the release mechanism of the seat anchor 104A.

The actuator handle 182 may be disposed within a recess formed along thebackside 102B of the seat shell 103 between the seat shell rails 106Aand 106B. Thus, the actuator handle 182 may be partially shielded by theseat shell 103, which may also reduce the likelihood of an accidentalrelease caused, for example, by the actuator handle 182 contactinganother object in the vehicle. The actuator handle 182 may be furthercoupled to respective cables 184 attached to the seat anchors 104A and104B so that actuation of the actuator handle 182 causes both the seatanchors 104A and 104B to release at the same time.

When the parent and/or the caregiver actuates the actuator handle 182,the cable 184 may be retracted such that an actuating force is appliedto the release mechanism of the seat anchor 104B. For example, theactuator handle 182 may be configured as a pull mechanism where pullingthe actuator handle 182 causes displacement of the cable 184, which, inturn, causes the cable 184 to pull on the release mechanism of the seatanchor 104B. This arrangement may be analogous to a brake cable systemon a bicycle. It should be appreciated, however, that the releaseactuator 180 a is not limited to a pull mechanism, but may incorporateother mechanisms including, but not limited to a push mechanism (e.g., abutton is pressed) and a twist mechanism (e.g., a knob is turned).

FIG. 12 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 c-2 with arelease actuator 180 b that is partially integrated into the carryinghandle 112. As before, the release actuator 180 b may include respectivecables 184A and 184B for connection with the seat anchors 104A and 104B,respectively. The cables 184A and 184B may further be connected togetherto the actuator handle 182. In this implementation, however, the cables184A and 184B may be partially routed through the carrying handle andthe actuator handle 182 may be disposed at the top of the carryinghandle 112. This configuration may enable a parent and/or a caregiver torelease the infant car seat system 100 from the vehicle seat 50 andtransfer the infant car seat system 100 out of the vehicle using onlyone arm and/or hand (i.e., the parent and/or the caregiver may grab thecarrying handle 112 during the entire uninstallation process).

The carrying handle 112 may be attached to the infant car seat 102 viathe attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. The attachment mechanisms 114Aand 114B may generally allow the carrying handle 112 to be rotatablerelative to the infant car seat 102 (e.g., to provide clearance whenputting in and/or taking out the infant, to adjust the orientation inwhich the infant car seat 102 is carried). The cables 184A and 184B maythus be routed through openings (not shown) in the attachment mechanisms114A and 114B with sufficiently large clearances to ensure the cables184A and 184B are not pinched and/or otherwise constrained by the infantcar seat 102 when the carrying handle 112 is rotated. The cables 184Aand 184B may also be compliant components with sufficient play wheninstalled into the infant car seat 102 so that the cables 184A and 184Bmay readily follow the rotational motion of the carrying handle 112.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Rigid Anchor System and One or MoreStorage Compartments

The infant car seat system may also include a storage compartment 160 tostore portions of the anchor system 104, such as the seat anchors 104Aand 104B, when not in use (e.g., the infant car seat system 160 may becarried by the parent and/or the caregiver or mounted to a stroller).Similar to the release actuator 180, the integration of the storagecompartment 160 in the infant car seat system may depend, in part, onthe type of anchor system 104 used. For a rigid anchor system, thestorage compartment 160 may generally be formed along the front portionsof the infant car seat 102. In some implementations, the rigid anchorsystem may also be a collapsible and/or extendable mechanism thattransitions between a stored position and an operational position.

For example, FIG. 13 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 d-1with the rigid anchor system 104 a described above and a storagecompartment 160 a. In this implementation, the seat anchors 104A and104B may not protrude outwards from the outward facing sides of the seatshell rails 106A and 106B. Instead, the seat shell rails 106A and 106Bmay each have a larger width compared to the infant car seat system 100a-1 such that the storage compartment 160 a may be formed as a recessedpocket along a front, side portion of the seat shell rails 106A and106B. The shape of the storage compartments 160 a may correspond withthe shape of the side cross-section of the seat anchors 104A and 104B.Additionally, the storage compartment 160 a may be dimensioned to besubstantially similar in size as the side cross-section of the seatanchors 104A and 104B to ensure the seat anchors 104A and 104B may befully disposed within the storage compartment 160 a without occupying anappreciable volume within the infant car seat 102.

When deployed, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may protrude from thefront of the infant car seat 102 (i.e., the seat anchors 104A and 104Bextend past the frontside 102A). In order to store the seat anchors 104Aand 104B, the anchor system 104 a may be rotated until the seat anchors104A and 104B are positioned within the respective storage compartments160 a (e.g., the seat anchors 104A and 104B are oriented nearlyvertical). In order to retain the seat anchors 104A and 104B in thestorage compartments 160 a, the storage compartment 160 a and/or theseat anchors 104A and 104B may include an integrated locking mechanism.For example, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may include the lockingmechanisms described above (e.g., a ratcheting mechanism, a thumbscrew).

In some implementations, the storage compartment 160 a may include asnap-fit locking mechanism that includes a tab and/or a bump disposedon, for example, a portion of the seat shell rail 106B that extends intothe storage compartment 160 a. In order to store the seat anchor 104B inthe storage compartment 160 a, the parent and/or the caregiver mayprovide a sufficiently large force to rotatably move the seat anchor104B past the tab and/or bump and into the storage compartment 160 a.Thereafter, the tab and/or bump may prevent the seat anchor 104B frommoving unless a sufficiently large force is applied by the parent and/orthe caregiver.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show another exemplary infant car seat system 100 d-2with a telescopically adjustable anchor system 104 e and storagecompartments 160 a formed along a front, side portion of the seat shellrails 106A and 106B. In this implementation, the anchor system 104 e mayinclude a telescopically adjustable crossmember 104D to adjust thedistance between the seat anchors 104A and 104B. In this manner, theanchor system 104 e may transition between a stored position where theanchor system 104 e is disposed entirely within the infant car seat 102and an operational position where the anchor system 104 e and, inparticular, the seat anchors 104A and 104B are deployed for attachmentto a vehicle seat 50.

For example, FIG. 14B shows the anchor system 104 e in an operationalposition where the crossmember 104D is extended so that the seat anchors104A and 104B protrude out from the sides of the seat shell rails 106Aand 106B and forward of the infant car seat 102 for installation to thevehicle seat 50. For storage, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may berotated upwards so that the seat anchors 104A and 104B align withrespective openings 162 a for entry into the storage compartments 160 a.Once aligned, the crossmember 104 d may be retracted telescopically sothat the seat anchors 104A and 104B move into the respective storagecompartments 160 a. Thus, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be held inplace by sliding or rotating. A spring-loaded mechanism may be employedto deploy the seat anchors; alternatively, the seat anchors may beequipped with a scoop that can be grabbed with fingers for deployment.

FIGS. 14C-14F show additional views of the infant car seat system 100d-2 with the anchor system 104 e in the operational position. As shownin FIGS. 14C and 14D, the storage compartments 160 a may be formed fromportions of respective rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by the seatshell rails 106A and 106B, respectively. The seat shell rails 106A and106B may be hollowed, thin-wall structures such that the rocker cavities118A and 188B are located below and to the sides of the seat back 120and the seat pan 122. In this manner, the storage compartments 160 a mayoccupy a space within the infant car seat 102 that is typically unusedother than for the routing of various cabling.

When in the stored position, the anchor system 104 e may be fullydisposed within the infant car seat 102, thus the overall envelope ofthe infant car seat system 100 d-2 may correspond to the envelope of theinfant car seat 102. In other words, the inclusion of a telescopicallyadjustable anchor system 104 e integrated into the infant car seat 102allows for a baseless infant car seat system to remain similar in sizeas conventional infant carriers. This, in turn, enables compatibility ofthe infant car seat system 100 d-2 with other devices, such as astroller.

FIGS. 15A-15F show several views of the infant car seat 102 in theinfant car seat system 100 d-2 without the anchor system 104 e. Asshown, the openings 162 a for entry into the storage compartments 160 amay be formed onto the respective sides of the seat shell rails 106A and106B. In some implementations, the openings 162A may be shaped and/ordimensioned based on the side cross-section of the seat anchors 104A and104B. Additionally, the openings 162A may be oriented to correspond withthe desired orientation of the seat anchors 104A and 104B when in thestored position.

FIGS. 15A and 15B further show the openings 116A and 116B may be formedon the interior sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Theopenings 116A and 116B may be shaped according to the cross-sectionalshape of the crossmember 104D. Thus, the openings 116A and 116B maydefine the location of the mechanical constraining points 322A and 322Bwhere the seat anchors 104A and 104B are mounted on the infant car seat102. In some examples, the openings may be reinforced with additionalplastic of the seat shell proximate to the openings, and or plastic ormetal reinforcement pieces applied around or otherwise proximate to theopenings.

As shown in FIG. 15F, the opening 116B may overlap with the opening 162a. In some implementations, the relative position between the openings116A and 116B and the openings 162 a may depend, in part, on the shapeand/or arrangement of the crossmember 104D and the seat anchors 104A and104B in the anchor system 104 e. In some implementations, the openings116A and 116B may be placed sufficiently below the seat rim 108 (butabove the plane 310) in order to provide sufficient clearance for theseat anchors 104A and 104B to be inserted into the infant car seat 102without contacting the seat rim 108.

FIGS. 16A and 16B further show the anchor system 104 e in a storedposition and an operational position, respectively. FIGS. 16C-16E showadditional views of the anchor system 104 e. As shown, the anchor system104 e may include the seat anchors 104A and 104B and a crossmember 104D.As before, the crossmember 104D may be coupled to the ends of the seatanchors 104A and 104B opposite from the connection ends 105A and 105B.

In this implementation, the crossmember 104D may be an assembly ofcomponents that includes an outer tube 141 and an inner tube 142. Theinner tube 142 may be shaped and/or dimensioned to fit within the outertube 141 as shown in FIG. 16E such that the inner tube 142 istelescopically slidable with respect to the outer tube 141. The outertube 141 may further include one or more slots 143 and the inner tube142 may include one or more openings 145 as shown in FIG. 16D. A pin 144may be inserted through the openings 145 of the inner tube 142 and theslots 143 of the outer tube 141, thus constraining the relative movementof the inner tube 142 and the outer tube 141 along a path defined by theslots 143. In this manner, the slots 143 may define the range of motionrelative to the infant car seat 102 in which the seat anchors 104A and104B are telescopically adjustable.

FIG. 17 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 e-1 withopenings 162 b formed only on the front sides of the seat shell rails106A and 106B to provide entry for the seat anchors 104A and 104B toenter the storage compartments 160 a. The infant car seat system 100 e-1may once again include the rigid anchor system 104 a. The seat anchors104A and 104B in the infant car seat system 100 e-1 may be stored usinga substantially similar process as the infant car seat system 100 d-1.For example, the anchor system 104 a may be rotated from a deployedposition (i.e., the seat anchors 104A and 104B extend out in front ofthe infant car seat 102) to a stored position (i.e., the seat anchors104A and 104B are stored substantially within the storage compartments160 a located within the infant car seat 102) with the seat anchors 104Aand 104B passing through respective openings 162 b. The primarydifference is that the seat anchors 104A and 104B pass through theopenings 162 b, which are formed only on the front sides of the seatshell rails 106A and 106B.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show another exemplary infant car seat system 100 e-2that includes the telescopically adjustable rigid anchor system 104 eand the front openings 162 b. In particular, FIG. 18A shows the anchorsystem 104 e in a stored position and FIG. 18B shows the anchor system104 e in an operational position. In this implementation, the anchorsystem 104 e may transition from the operation position to the storedposition by first telescopically retracting the seat anchors 104A and104B. Once the seat anchors 104A and 104B are aligned with the openings162 b, the anchor system 104 e may be rotated until the seat anchors104A and 104B are positioned within the storage compartments 160 a inthe infant car seat 102.

FIGS. 18C-18G show several views of the infant car seat system 100 e-2with the anchor system 104 e deployed in the operational position. Asbefore, the storage compartments 160 a may be located within portions ofthe rocker cavities 118A and 118B defined by the seat shell rails 106Aand 106B.

FIGS. 19A-19F show several views of the infant car seat 102 without theanchor system 104 e. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the openings 162 bmay substantially occupy the front portions of the seat shell rails 106Aand 106B. In other words, the curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B andthe sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B may define the openings162 b. In some implementations, the shape and/or dimensions of theopenings 162 b, which are defined, in part, by the shape and/ordimensions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B and the bottom curvedrockers 107A and 107B, may be tailored to substantially conform with thetop and/or bottom cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the seatanchors 104A and 104B.

FIGS. 19A and 19B further shows the infant car seat 102 may includeopenings 116A and 116B to physically engage and support the crossmember104D in the anchor system 104 e. As shown, the openings 116A and 116Bmay be formed as respective notches that intersect a portion of theopenings 162 b. Thus, the anchor system 104 e may be inserted as asingle assembly from the frontside 102A to engage the openings 116A and116B on the infant car seat 102 during assembly. For example, thecrossmember 104D may be pressed into the openings 116A and 116B untilthe crossmember 104D physically contacts the back edges of the seatshell rails 106A and 106B forming the openings 116A and 116B. The depthin which the openings 116A and 116B extend into the seat shell rails106A and 106B may be chosen, in part, to ensure the seat anchors 104Aand 104B are disposed entirely within the storage compartment 160 a whenrotated about the crossmember 104D. While not explicitly visible in thefigure, in some examples the inner walls of the seat shell rails wouldfully surround the crossmember (in a manner similar to that shown inFIG. 21A).

FIG. 20 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 f-1 with ananchor system 104 a configured to transition between a stored positionand an operational position via a slidable adjustment mechanism. Asshown, the infant car seat 102 may include an opening 116A on the seatshell rail 106A that is shaped as a slot to constrain the translationalmotion of the crossmember 104D along a path defined by the opening 116A.A similar opening (not shown) may be formed on the seat shell rail 106B.Thus, the anchor system 104 a may be translationally and rotationallyadjustable with respect to the infant car seat 102 when deployed.

A storage compartment 160 b may be disposed proximate to the opening116A and oriented such that the seat anchor 104A, when disposed withinthe storage compartment 160 b, is oriented substantially horizontalwithin the infant car seat 102. The infant car seat 102 may furtherinclude corresponding openings 162 c that are shaped and/or dimensionedbased on the front/rear cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the seatanchors 104A and 104B. Compared to the openings 162 a and 162 b in theinfant car seat systems 100 d-1 and 100 e-1, respectively, the openings162 c may be appreciably smaller, which may be beneficial in preservingthe structural rigidity of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

In order to store the seat anchors 104A and 104B in the storagecompartments 160 b, the anchor system 104 a may first be rotated suchthat the seat anchors 104A and 104B are oriented horizontally and,hence, aligned with the openings 162 c formed along the front portionsof the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. The parent and/or the caregivermay then push the seat anchors 104A and 104B through the openings 162 cto slidably move the crossmember 104D along the opening 116A until theseat anchors 104A and 104B are fully disposed in the storagecompartments 160 b. In some implementations, the position and length ofthe opening 116A may be tailored so that the crossmember 104D contactsthe respective front and back ends of the opening 116A when the anchorsystem 104 a is in an operational position or a stored position,respectively.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show another exemplary infant car seat system 100 f-2with a telescopically adjustable anchor system 104 f and the storagecompartments 160 b. In particular, FIG. 21A shows the anchor system 104f in a stored position and FIG. 21B in an operational position. In thisexample, the openings 162 c may be formed along a front and side portionof the seat shell rails 106A and 106B so that the spacing between theseat anchors 104A and 104B may be telescopically adjustable between theoperational and stored positions. Similar to the infant car seat system100 f-1, the infant car seat 102 in the infant car seat system 100 f-2may include openings 116A and 116B shaped as slots and aligned with theopenings 162 c. In one aspect, a spring in the telescopic rail guidespushes the seat anchors out of the infant car seat (e.g., when thebutton 146B is pressed).

In the operational position, the FIG. 21B shows the telescopic mechanismof the crossmember 104D may be adjusted to increase the spacing betweenthe seat anchors 104A and 104B. When transitioning to the storedposition, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be rotated to a horizontalorientation and the crossmember 104D may be telescopically retracted,thus reducing the spacing between the seat anchors 104A and 104B. Duringthis step, a portion of the seat anchors 104A and 104B may pass throughrespective side portions of the openings 162 c formed along the sides ofthe seat shell rails 106A and 106B. The seat anchors 104A and 104B maythen be pushed into the storage compartments 160 b by passing throughthe front portions of the openings 162 c. As before, the openings 116Aand 116B may determine the range of slidable adjustment between theoperational and stored positions.

The anchor system 104 f may further include telescopic rail guides 147Aand 147B disposed within the storage compartments 160 b to control theslidable adjustment of the seat anchors 104A and 104B along the openings116A and 116B. In particular, the telescopic rail guides 147A and 147Bmay each include a guide 149 mounted to the infant car seat 102 (e.g., aportion of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B within the rocker cavities118A and 118B) and a rail 148 mounted to the seat anchors 104A and 104Band the crossmember 104D. The rail 148 may be telescopically adjustablewith respect to the guide 149.

The telescopic rail guides 147A and 147B may further include anintegrated locking mechanism that locks the position of the seat anchors104A and 104B and the crossmember 104D at set locations along theopenings 116A and 116B. The infant car seat system 100 f-2 may alsoinclude a pair of buttons 146A and 146B located along the sides of theseat shell rails 106A and 106B, which are mechanically coupled to thelocking mechanisms of the telescopic rail guides 147A and 147B,respectively. When a parent and/or a caregiver wishes to adjust theposition of the of the seat anchors 104A and 104B and the crossmember104D, they may press the buttons 146A and 146B to release the lockingmechanisms of the telescopic rail guides 147A and 147B and then slidablyadjust the seat anchors 104A and 104B accordingly.

FIGS. 21C-21H show several additional views of the infant car seatsystem 100 f-2 with the anchor system 104 f in a stored position. Inparticular, FIG. 21D shows the seat anchors 104A and 104B and thetelescopic rail guides 147A and 147B may be disposed within the rockercavities 118A and 118B defined by the seat shell rails 106A and 106B,respectively. As before, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be disposedentirely within the infant car seat 102 when stored to ensure theoverall envelope of the infant car seat system 100 f-2 is similar toprevious infant car seats. FIG. 21H shows a cross-sectional view of theinfant car seat system 100 f-2 and, in particular, shows the placementof the telescopic rail guide 147B and the seat anchor 104B in the rockercavity 118B in relation to the seat pan 122 and the seat back 120.

FIGS. 22A-22F show several views of the infant car seat 102 without theanchor system 104 f. FIGS. 22A and 22B show the openings 162 c and theopenings 116A and 116B may be aligned horizontally with respect to oneanother. The shape and/or dimensions of the openings 162 c, however, maycorrespond with the height/thickness of the seat anchors 104A and 104Bwhile the shape and/or dimensions of the openings 116A and 116B maycorrespond with the shape of the crossmember 104D. As shown, theopenings 162 c and the openings 116A and 116B may be separated by aportion of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. In some examples, thisarea may be reinforced by extra material of the seat shell rails, and/ora plastic or metal reinforcement part. FIG. 22F further shows the infantcar seat 102 may include openings 117A and 117B on the sides of the seatshell rails 106A and 106B to mount the buttons 146A and 146B.

FIGS. 23A-23G show several views of the anchor system 104 f and, inparticular, the telescopic guide rails 147A and 147B (collectivelyreferred to herein as the telescopic rail guide 147). As shown, the seatanchors 104A and 104B and the crossmember 104D may be substantially thesame as anchor system 104 e. The rails 148 of the telescopic guide rails147A and 147B may be coupled to portions of the crossmember 104D so thatthe seat anchors 104A and 104B and the crossmember 104D are slidablyadjustable together with the rails 148. As shown, the rail 148 of thetelescopic rail guide 147A may be rotatably coupled to the outer tube141 and the rail 148 of the telescopic rail guide 147B may be rotatablycoupled to the inner tube 142 so that the seat anchors 104A and 104B arerotationally adjustable.

The rail 148 may be shaped and/or dimensioned to fit within the guide149 so that the rail 148 is telescopically adjustable with respect tothe guide 149 along a single axis. The telescopic guide rails 147A and147B may further include a locking mechanism that includes a rotatablehook 150 supported by a support section 152 on the guide 149. The hook150 may be configured to pass through an opening 154 on the guide 149 inorder to engage one or more slots 151 disposed along the rail 147. Thus,the slots 151 on the rail 147 may define several positions along theopenings 116A and 116B in which the seat anchors 104A and 104B and thecrossmember 104D may be positioned and locked. FIGS. 23E and 23F showthe telescopic rail guide 147 in a retracted position and an extendedposition, respectively. FIG. 23G further shows a cross-sectional view ofthe hook 150 passing through the opening 154 on the guide 149 to engageone slot 151 on the rail 147.

In some implementations, the hook 150 of each telescopic guide rail 147Aand 147B may be mechanically linked to the buttons 146A and 146B using,for example, one or more rotatably coupled linkage members (not shown).For example, the press of the button 146A may impart a force thatrotates the hook 150, thus disengaging the hook 150 from the slot 151.In some implementations, a spring may be integrated into the telescopicrail guide 147 to impart a spring basis, such as a torque, that keepsthe hook 150 engaged with the slot 151. In some implementations, thebuttons 146A and 146B and/or the hooks 150 of the telescopic guide rail147A and 147B may be mechanically coupled together so that the parentand/or the caregiver only has to press one of the buttons 146A and 146Bto release the telescopic guide rails 147A and 147B for adjustment.

An Exemplary Demonstration of an Infant Car Seat System with a RigidAnchor System

FIGS. 24A-24D show several views of an exemplary prototype of the infantcar seat system 100 a with the rigid anchor system 104 a. As shown, theinfant car seat system 102 was assembled by attaching a seat shellsection 103 b to a standard seat shell 103 a in order to support theintegrated anchor system 104 a. In this example, the seat shell section103 b is placed on the bottom of the seat shell 103 a such that the seatanchors 104A and 104B are disposed below the seat shell rails 106A and106B of the seat shell 103 a. However, it should be appreciated in otherimplementations of the infant car seat system 100 a, the crossmember104D may protrude through openings (e.g., openings 116A and 116B) sothat the seat anchors 104A and 104B protrude out the sides of the seatshell rails 106A and 106B and above the curved rocker bottoms 107A and107B.

In some implementations, the infant car seat system 100 and, inparticular, the infant car seat 102 may nevertheless be formed as atwo-part assembly where the seat shell section 103 b is an accessorythat may be coupled to a standard seat shell 103 a during assembly bythe manufacturer or after purchase by the parent and/or caregiver inorder to eliminate the detachable vehicle installation base. In thismanner, the same seat shell 103 a may be used across multiple productlines in order to reduce manufacturing costs. However, it should beappreciated that in other implementations, the infant car seat 102 maybe formed as a unitary component.

FIGS. 25A-25E show several views of another exemplary prototype of theinfant car seat system 100 c-1, which includes the rigid anchor system104 a and the release actuator 180 a. Similar to the prototype infantcar seat system 100 a-1 shown in FIGS. 24A-24D, the infant car seat 102in the infant car seat system 100 c-1 may include a seat shell section103 b mounted to a standard set shell 103 a for purposes ofdemonstration. FIG. 25A shows the prototype infant car seat system 100c-1 coupled to a vehicle seat 50. As shown, the seat shell section 130 bmay support seat anchors 104A and 104B and provide surfaces againstwhich the infant car seat system 100 c-1 abuts the vehicle seat pan 56and the vehicle seat back 58 for a tighter fit. FIG. 25B further showsthe seat anchor 104A proximate to a vehicle seat anchor 52 prior toattachment.

FIG. 25A also shows the release actuator 180 a integrated into theinfant car seat 102 with a cable 184 routed from the seat anchor 104A toan actuator handle 182 located along the backside 102B of the infant carseat 102. As shown in FIGS. 25C and 25D, the cable 184 may be routedpredominantly within the infant car seat 102 with a small portionprotruding out from the infant car seat 102 for attachment to the seatanchor 104A. FIG. 25B further shows the cable 184 may be connected to arelease mechanism of the seat anchor 104A. When the actuator handle 182is actuated, the cable 184 may then pull on the release mechanism toopen the seat anchor 104A for release.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Belted Anchor System

The various implementations of the infant car seat system 100 describedabove showed several examples of a rigid anchor system. However, itshould be appreciated the infant car seat system 100 is not limited torigid anchor systems, but may support other types of anchor systems 104as well. In the following, several examples will now be described of aninfant car seat system that incorporates a belted anchor system.

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 g-1 with a beltedanchor system 104 g. The infant car seat system 100 g-1 may include aninfant car seat 102 with many of the same features described above withregards to other inventive implementations. For brevity, a detaileddescription of the various features associated with the infant car seat102 will not be repeated here, but it should be appreciated one or moreof the features described above may also be incorporated into the infantcar seat 102 in the infant car seat system 100 g-1.

As shown, the anchor system 104 g may include the seat anchors 104A and104B as before. In this implementation, however, the seat anchors 104Aand 104B may be coupled together via a compliant belt 104C. The belt104C may provide greater ease to the parent and/or the caregiver toposition and orient the seat anchors 104A and 104B compared to the rigidanchor systems described above (i.e., the compliant properties of thebelt 104C provides multiple axes of adjustment). The belt 104C may berouted through openings 116A and 116B formed on the seat shell rails106A and 106B for attachment to the infant car seat 102. The anchorsystem 104 g may further include a belt tightening mechanism 155 totighten the belt 104C so that the belt 104C couples the infant car seat102 to the vehicle seat 50 with a tight fit. In other words, the belt104C may be under tension when sufficiently tightened to eliminateunwanted play in the belt 104C, which may otherwise allow the infant carseat 102 to move and/or jostle with respect to the vehicle seat 50.

During a typical installation, the parent and/or the caregiver mayposition the infant car seat system 100 g-1 so that the infant car seat102 is in a rear-facing configuration. The belt 104C may initially beloosened so that the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be readilypositioned and oriented for attachment to the vehicle seat anchors 52Aand 52B. Once the seat anchors 104A and 104B are installed, the parentand/or the caregiver may tighten the belt 104C using the belt tighteningmechanism 155 until the infant car seat 102 is pulled against thevehicle seat back 58 and/or the vehicle seat pan 56. In someimplementations, the anchor system 104 g may include a single belttightening mechanism 155 (e.g., the parent and/or the caregiver only hasto pull on one strap during installation) or multiple belt tighteningmechanisms 155 (e.g., a pair of belt tightening mechanisms 155 disposedproximate to the seat anchors 104A and 104B to ensure the belt istightened similarly on both sides of the infant car seat 102).

The openings 116A and 116B may be shaped to allow at least the belt 104Cand/or possibly the seat anchors 104A and 104B to pass through. Oncetightened, the openings 116A and 116B may thus function as themechanical constraining points 322A and 322B on the infant car seat 102where the seat anchors 104A and 104B are effectively mounted. Thus, theopenings 116A and 116B, which are depicted in FIG. 26 as being locatedalong the lower, front portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B,may be positioned in a similar manner as a rigid anchor system to reducethe forces and rotational displacement applied to an infant during acrash event. In other words, the openings 116A and 116B may be locatedabove the plane 310 defined by the CG 320 and the anchor points 324A and324B or at least an approximation of the plane 310 thereof.

FIG. 27 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 g-2 with abelted anchor system 104 h where each seat anchor 104A and 104B has aseparate belt 104C-1 and 104C-2, respectively, attached to the infantcar seat 102. In this implementation, the infant car seat 102 may besubstantially the same as in the infant car seat system 100 g-1. Asshown, the belt 104C-1 may form a closed loop around the opening 116Aand, similarly, the belt 104C-2 may form a closed loop around theopening 116B. Each of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may include a belttightening mechanism 155 (e.g., a clasp), which may be used to form theloop as well as tighten the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 for installation.

FIG. 28 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 h-1 with abelted anchor system 104 i where the belt 104C is routed, at leastpartially, along a vehicle seat belt path (i.e., a path along the infantcar seat 102 where a vehicle seat belt may pass through to restrain theinfant and/or the infant car seat 102). As shown, the infant car seat102 may include belt hooks 119A and 119B disposed on the seat rim 108proximate to the attachment mechanisms 114A and 114B. The belt 104C ofthe anchor system 104 i may be routed through the belt hooks 119A and119B such that a portion of the belt 104 c extends across the seat pan122 of the infant car seat 102. As before, the belt 104C may connect theseat anchors 104A and 104B together and a belt tightening mechanism 155may be incorporated to tighten the belt 104C during installation.

The belt hooks 119A and 119B may be shaped such that a vehicle seat beltstill be coupled to the infant car seat 102 together with the belt 104Cin the anchor system 104 i. In this manner, the belt hooks 119A and 119Bmay provide multiple functions in the infant car seat 102. This, inturn, may simplify the design of the infant car seat 102 by eliminatingthe openings 116A and 116B on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Inthis example, the belt hooks 119A and 119B may define the mechanicalconstraining points 322A and 322B.

FIG. 29 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 h-2, which isa variant of the infant car seat system 100 h-1 that includes a tether156 to further constrain the routing of the belt 104C. As shown, thetether 156 may be a strap and/or a belt coupled to the seat shell rail106B that is looped around the belt 104C. In some implementations, thetether 156 may be a substantially rigid component that more tightlyconstrains the belt 104C to the infant car seat 102. A tether may alsobe disposed on the seat shell rail 106A and similarly looped around aportion of the belt 104C. The tether 156 prohibits the removal of thebelt 104C from the car seat.

FIG. 30 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 h-3 with abelted anchor system 104 k where each seat anchor 104A and 104B has acorresponding belt 104C-1 and 104C-2 routed, in part, through belt hooks119A and 119B, respectively. As shown, each of the belts 104C-1 and104C-2 may include a corresponding belt tightening mechanism 155,similar to the infant car seat system 100 g-2. In this implementation,however, the belt 104C-1 may pass through the belt hook 119A andsubsequently routed downwards along the interior side of the seat shellrail 106A. The belt 104C-1 may then be anchored, for example, to thecurved bottom rocker 107A via a metal bar or plate at an anchor point157 a. The belt 104C-2 may similarly be routed across the belt hook 119Band downwards along the interior side of the seat shell rail 106B whereit is then anchored at another anchor point 157 a on the seat shell rail106B.

The belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be rigidly mounted to the infant carseat 102 at the anchor points 157 a. However, by routing the belts104C-1 and 104C-2 through the belt hooks 119A and 119B, the belt hooks119A and 119B may still effectively define the mechanical constrainingpoints 322A and 322B. In other words, the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may beconstrained by the belt hooks 119A and 119B such that the belts 104C-1and 104C-2 are unable to move relative to the infant car seat 102 when asudden crash force is applied to the infant car seat system 100 h-3.

FIG. 31 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 h-4 with abelted anchor system 104 j. The seat anchors 104A and 104B may onceagain have respective belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 to separately couple theseat anchors 104A and 104B to the infant car seat 102. In thisimplementation, however, the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be directlyattached to the seat rim 108 at corresponding anchor points 157 b using,for example, a metal plate or a bar that is rigidly mounted to the belts104C-1 and 104C-2. The anchor points 157 b may thus define themechanical constraining points 322A and 322B.

FIG. 32 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 i with abelted anchor system 104 l where the belt 104C is routed throughopenings 116A and 116B on the seat shell rails 106A and 106B,respectively. Compared to the infant car seat system 100 g-1, the belt104C may be routed above the seat pan 122, but below a seat pad (notshown) placed onto the seat pan 122 and the seat back 120. In someimplementations, the openings 116A and 116B may be positioned along theseat shell rails 106A and 106B such that the belt 104C, when insertedthrough the openings 116A and 116B, may lie across the seat pan 122. Inthis manner, the surface of the seat pan 122 may provide a largersurface against which the belt 104C may be tightened duringinstallation.

Said in another way, the portion of a crash force applied to the infantcar seat system 100 i and subsequently transferred to the belt 104C maybe distributed across a larger surface due to the larger contact areabetween the belt 104C and the seat pan 122. This, in turn, may reducethe mechanical stresses applied to the belt 104C and/or the infant carseat 102.

Depending on the placement and configuration of the belted anchor systemon the infant car seat, a variety of belt tightening mechanisms 155 maybe used to facilitate a tight fit between the infant car seat 102 andthe vehicle seat 50 including, but not limited to a belt clasp, a pairof O-rings and/or D-rings, and a cam lock.

For example, FIG. 33 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 jwith a belted anchor system 104 m where the belt tightening mechanismincludes a cam lock 158. As shown, the seat anchor 104 b in the anchorsystem 104 m may have a belt 104C that is routed through a pair ofopenings 116B-1 and 116B-2 such that the ends of the belt 104C aredisposed outside the infant car seat 102 while the center potions of thebelt 104C are disposed within the infant car seat 102. In someimplementations, the opening 116B-1 may define the mechanicalconstraining point 322B.

The portion of the belt 104C that extends outwards from the opening116B-2 may include the cam lock 158, which is placed in-line with thebelt 104C. The belt 104C may then form a loop for the parent and/orcaregiver to grab (e.g., an end portion of the belt 104C may be stitchedto an intermediate portion of the belt 104C to form the loop). A similarbelt 104C and cam lock 158 may be separately mounted to the seat shellrail 106A for the seat anchor 104A.

The cam lock 158 may be a mechanism that allows the belt 104C to slidetowards the backside 102B of the infant car seat 102 while restrictingmovement towards the frontside 102A. For example, the cam lock 158 mayinclude an array of teeth that are arranged to grab the belt 104C whenpulled towards the frontside 102A of the infant car seat 102. Thus, theparent and/or the caregiver may tighten the belt 104C by firstpositioning the infant car seat 102 onto the vehicle seat 50 as desiredand then pulling the belt 104C (e.g., via the loop) until the infant carseat 102 is tightly fitted to the vehicle seat 50. The cam lock 158 mayfurther include a release mechanism that may be manually actuated torelease and loosen the belt 104C during, for example, uninstallation ofthe infant car seat system 100 j and/or readjustment of the belts 104C.

In some implementations, the cam lock 158 may be integrated using aseparate strap that forms a pulley-based tightening mechanism in orderto reduce the amount force to tighten the belted anchor system. Forexample, FIG. 34 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 k-1with a belted anchor system 104 n that is tightened via a pulley strap159 with a cam lock 158. The seat anchors 104A and 104B of the anchorsystem 104 n may be coupled together via the belt 104C, which may berouted through respective openings 116A and 116B along the seat shellrails 106A and 106B, respectively. As shown, the center portions of thebelt 104C may be disposed below the seat pan 122 between the seat shellrails 106A and 106B.

The pulley strap 159 may be anchored to the bottom of the seat shell 103at an anchor point 164 and then wrapped around the center portions ofthe belt 104C between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B as shown inFIG. 34. The pulley strap 159 may then be fed through the cam lock 158,which is rigidly mounted to the seat shell 103. In some implementations,the pulley strap 159 may then form a loop that functions as a handle.With this arrangement, the parent and/or the caregiver may pull thepulley strap 159 towards the backside 102B of the infant car seat 102,which, in turn, causes the pulley strap 159 to pull against the belt104C.

FIG. 35 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 k-2, which isa variant of the infant car seat system 100 k-1 where the pulley strap159 forms a loop around the belt 104C and, hence, is only anchored tothe infant car seat 102 via the cam lock 158. As shown, one end of thepulley strap 159 may looped around the belt 104C and subsequentlyanchored to a center portion of the pulley strap 159 at the anchor point164 (e.g., via stitching). As before, the pulley strap 159 may be pulledto tighten the belt 104C.

FIG. 36 shows an infant car seat system 100 k-3, which is yet anothervariant of the infant car seat system 100 k-1 where the pulley strap 159is directly attached to the belt 104C. As shown, one end of the pulleystrap 159 may be stitched directly to a center portion of the belt 104Cat the anchor point 164 as shown. Once again, the pulley strap 159 mayonly be anchored to the infant car seat 102 by the cam lock 158.

In some implementations, a pulley-based tightening mechanism may beintegrated even for belted anchor systems with multiple belts. Forexample, FIG. 37 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 k-4 witha belted anchor system 104 o. As shown, the seat anchors 104A and 104Bmay each be coupled to the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2, respectively. Thebelts 104C-1 and 104C-2, in turn, may be routed through the openings116A and 116B, respectively, on the infant car seat 102. In thisimplementation, the ends of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 may be stitchedtogether with the pulley strap 159 at the anchor point 164 below theseat pan 122 and between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B.

FIG. 38 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 k-5 whereeach belt 104C-1 and 104C-2 in the anchor system 104 o has its owncorresponding pulley-based tightening mechanism. As shown, the belt104C-1 may be coupled to a pulley strap 159A and, similarly, the belt104C-2 may be coupled to a pulley strap 159B. The pulley straps 159A and159B may each have corresponding cam locks 158A and 158B mounted to theinfant car seat 102. In this configuration, the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2may be separately tightened by pulling the pulley straps 158A and 158B,respectively.

FIGS. 39A and 39B show another exemplary infant car seat system 100 l,which incorporates a ratcheting mechanism to tighten the belts in thebelted anchor system. As shown, the infant car seat system 100 l mayinclude a belted anchor system 104 p with the seat anchors 104A and104B. The seat anchor 104B may be coupled to a belt 104C, which passesthrough an opening 116B on the seat shell rail 106B. The belt 104C maythen be spooled around a spool 166 within the infant car seat 102. Thespool 166 may allow for a longer belt 104C to be used withoutappreciably increasing the volume the belt 104C occupies within theinfant car seat 102. The seat anchor 104A may similarly include a belt104C spooled around a second spool in the seat shell rail 106A.

The spool 166 may include a ratcheting mechanism, which only allows thebelt 104C to move along a direction that spools the belt 104C whilerestricting movement along an opposing direction that unspools the belt104C. The spool 166 may be mechanically coupled to a handle 165, whichmay be disposed on the exterior side of the seat shell rail 106B. Thehandle 165 may be configured so that the parent and/or the caregivershould repeatedly pull the handle 165 in order to incrementally spoolthe belt 104C and, hence, tighten the belt 104C as shown in FIG. 39B.

In some implementations, the spool 166 may include a release mechanismthat allows the belt 104C to be loosened. The release mechanism may betriggered by a different actuation maneuver of the handle 165 (e.g., thehandle 165 may be pushed inwards into the infant car seat). In someimplementations, the belt 104C may be unspooled by pressing the handle165 and pulling on the seat anchor 104B at the same time. In someimplementations, the spool 166 may include a spring (not shown) thatimparts a spring bias to automatically unspool the belt 104C when theparent and/or the caregiver actuates the handle 165.

FIG. 40 shows yet another exemplary infant car seat system 100 m thatincorporates a spring-assisted retraction mechanism to tighten a beltedanchor system. As shown, a belted anchor system 104 q may include theseat anchors 104A and 104B with separate belts 104C. The belt 104C mayonce again may be spooled around a spool 166 disposed within the infantcar seat 102. In this implementation, however, the spool 166 may includea spring configured to retract the belt without any additional inputs bythe parent and/or the caregiver. A similar spring-actuated spool 166 maybe separately included for the belt 104C coupled to the seat anchor104A. Thus, the belts 104C may be automatically tightened once the seatanchors 104A and 104B are attached to the vehicle seat 50.

In order to install the infant car seat system 100 m, the spool 166 maybe configured to allow a parent and/or a caregiver to pull the belt 104Cout from the infant car seat 102 when a sufficiently large force isapplied. In some implementations, the spool 166 may be configured toprevent unspooling of the belt 104C only when a large force is appliedfor a short period of time (e.g., a crash force). Said in another way,the parent and/or the caregiver may unspool the belt 104C by gentlypulling on the seat anchor 104B for an extended period of time. In someimplementations, the infant car seat system 100 m may include a button(not shown) that releases the retracting spool 166 so that the belt 104Cmay be unspooled more easily by pulling the seat anchor 104B with lessforce.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Belted Anchor System and a ReleaseActuator

An infant car seat system with a belted anchor system may also include arelease actuator to provide a quick disconnect mechanism to release theanchor system from a vehicle seat. Like the release actuators describedabove for rigid anchor systems, the release actuators for belted anchorsystems may be integrated into the infant car seat in different ways.

For example, FIGS. 41A and 41B show an exemplary infant car seat system100 n-1 with the release actuator 180 a in the infant car seat system100 c-1 and the belted anchor system 104 h. As shown, the releaseactuator 180 a may once again include cables 184A and 184B routedthrough portions of the seat shell 103 and, in particular, the seatshell rails 106A and 106B of the infant car seat 102. The cables 184Aand 184B may be coupled to the actuator handle 182, which is disposed onthe backside 102B of the infant car seat 102 between the seat shellrails 106A and 106B and below the seat rim 108. The cables 184A and 184Bmay also be routed through openings on the seat shell rails 106A and106B for connection with the seat anchors 104A and 104B.

For belted anchor systems, the compliance of the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2means the actuation of the release actuator 180 a may cause the seatanchors 104C-1 and 104C-2 to displace instead of actuating the releasemechanisms on the seat anchors 104A and 104B. Accordingly, the sheathcontacts the seat shell at the actuator end and contacts the connectorhousing at that end. The cable inside the sheath is connected to theactuator and connected to the latch (or a part that disengages thelatch) to release the connector. FIG. 41B shows the cable 184B may bedirectly attached to both the latch 130 and the actuator handle 182 sothat movement of the actuator handle 182 may be directly be transferredto the seat anchor 104B to release the latch 130.

FIG. 42 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 n-2 thatincorporates the release actuator 180 b in the infant car seat system100 c-2 and the belted anchor system 1004 h. The release actuator 180 bmay operate in the same manner as the release actuator 180 a in theinfant car seat system 100 n-1 where the cables 184A and 184B may bedirectly coupled to the latches 130 of the seat anchors 104A and 104Band the actuator handle 182. The cables 184A and 184B may once again berouted through the carrying handle 112 and provided with sufficient playto accommodate changes to the rotational position of the carrying handle112.

FIG. 43 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 n-3 with arelease actuator 180 c coupled to the belted anchor system 104 h. Inthis implementation, the release actuator 180 c may include two actuatorhandles to release the seat anchors 104A and 104B separately. As shown,the actuator handle 182B may be disposed on the side of the seat shellrail 106B and coupled to the cable 184B. In some implementations, theactuator handle 182B may be configured to be a sliding mechanism inwhich the parent and/or the caregiver should slide the handle 182B inorder to release the seat anchor 104B. However, it should be appreciatedthe actuator handle 182B may also be configured to be a push/pullmechanism or a twist mechanism. The cable 184A may be connected to asimilar actuator handle on the seat shell rail 106A. In someimplementations, the cables 184A and 184B may be routed such that thehandle 182B may release both the seat anchors 104A and 104B at the sametime.

In some implementations, a release actuator may be integrated togetherwith a belt tightening mechanism. For example, FIG. 44 shows anotherexemplary infant car seat system 100 n-4 with a release actuator 180 dand a belted anchor system 104 m that includes an in-line cam lock 158.As shown, the cable 184 of the release actuator 180 d may be routedthrough a webbing 186 on the belt 104C (e.g., through a webbing sectiondisposed on the belt 104C) and then partially routed through the infantcar seat 102 to an actuator handle (not shown). The cable 184 may thusmove together with the belt 104C when the belt 104C is tightened. Inthis manner, the likelihood of an inadvertent release of the seat anchor104B caused by the displacement of the belt 104B may be substantiallyreduced.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Belted Anchor System and a StorageCompartment

An infant car seat system with a belted anchor system may also includeone or more storage compartments 160 to store the seat anchors 104A and104B and/or portions of the belt 104C. For example, FIG. 45 shows anexemplary infant car seat system 100 o that includes storagecompartments 160 c disposed in the rocker cavities 118A and 118B of theseat shell rails 106A and 106B to store the seat anchors 104A and 104B.As shown, the infant car seat 102 may include openings 162 c formedalong the front, side portions of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B forthe seat anchors 104A and 104B to enter or exit the storage compartments160 c.

The storage compartment 160 c may be arranged such that the seat anchors104A and 104B lie in a substantially horizontal orientation when stored.In some implementations, the seat anchor 104B (or the seat anchor 104A)may be coupled to the belt 104C, which is routed through an opening 116Bon the seat shell rail 106B. Thus, the belt 104C may be partiallydisposed within the infant car seat 102. The belt 104C may also berouted through the storage compartment 160 c such that the belt 104Cmoves through the storage compartment 160 c when displaced. The belt104C may also be coupled to a belt tightening mechanism (not shown).When the infant car seat system 100 o is not attached to a vehicle seat,the actuation of the belt tightening mechanism may cause the belt 104Cto pull the seat anchor 104B into the storage compartment 160 c. Fordeployment, the belt tightening mechanism may include a releasemechanism that allows the parent and/or the caregiver to pull the seatanchor 104B along with the belt 104C out from the storage compartment160 c.

FIG. 46 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 p withseveral storage compartments 160 d-1, 160 d-2, and/or 160 d-3 and thebelted anchor system 104 k. The storage compartments 160 d-1, 160 d-2,and/or 160 d-3 may be located within the rocker cavities 118A and 118Bdefined by the seat shell rails 104A and 104B. In this implementation,the parent and/or the caregiver may store the seat anchors 104A and 104Bby loosening the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2, which, in some instances, mayinclude decoupling the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 from the belt hooks 119Aand 119B, and placing the seat anchors 104A and 104B over the seat rim108 and into the storage compartments 160 d-1, 160 d-2, and/or 160 d-3.When stored, the seat anchors 104A and 104B (along with the belts 104C-1and 104C-2) may be placed under the seat pad (not shown).

FIG. 47 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 q withmultiple pins 163 disposed along the exterior of the infant car seat 102for storage and the belted anchor system 104 j. As shown, the pins 163may protrude outwards from the seat rim 108. When storing the seatanchors 104A and 104B, the parent and/or the caregiver may latch theseat anchors 104A and 104B onto one of the pins 163 so that the seatanchors 104A and 104B and the belts 104C-1 and 104C-2 don't dangle fromthe infant car seat 102.

In some implementations, the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be looselyhooked onto the pins 163 such that the seat anchors 104A and 104B arerotatably movable with respect to the pins 163. In some implementations,the seat anchors 104A and 104B may be securely attached to the pins 163such that the seat anchors 104A and 104B are not translationally orrotationally movable relative to the infant car seat 102. Additionally,the pins 163 may also be disposed on the exterior sides of the seatshell 103 and/or the seat shell rails 106A and 106B as well as theinterior sides of the seat shell rails 106A and 106B (i.e., the spacebelow the seat pan 122).

FIG. 48 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 r with astorage compartment 160 e disposed below the seat pan 122 and betweenthe seat shell rails 106A and 106B. As shown, the infant car seat system100 r may include the belted anchor system 104 j. In thisimplementation, the storage compartment 160 e may provide a spacelocated near the frontside 102A of the infant car seat 102 with anopening that allows the seat anchors 104A and 104B to be manually placedinto the storage compartment 160 e along with portions of the belts104C-1 and 104C-2.

FIG. 49 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 s withstorage compartments 160 f that are shaped and arranged similar to thestorage compartments 160 b in the infant car seat system 100 f-1 and 100f-2. As shown, the storage compartments 160 f may be disposed within afront portion of the rocker cavities 118A and 118B of the seat shellrails 106A and 106B. Openings on the front sides of the seat shell rails106A and 106B may provide entry for the seat anchors 104A and 104B to beplaced into the storage compartments 160 f.

An Infant Car Seat System with an Adjustment foot

As described above, the shape, orientation, and overall arrangement ofthe vehicle seat 50 may vary between different types of seats and/ordifferent vehicles. This variability typically makes it challenging toinstall a conventional infant car seat system with a secure and tightfit. For the infant car seat system described herein, the infant carseat 102 may also have curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B, whichcreates an unstable platform (e.g., the infant car seat 102 tends torock back and forth) that may make installation even more challenging.

In order to accommodate different vehicle seats 50 and an infant carseat 102 with curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B, the infant car seatsystem 100 may include an adjustment foot 170 to modify the reclineangle of the infant car seat 102. For example, FIG. 50 shows anexemplary infant car seat system 100 u where the infant car seat 102includes an adjustment foot 170 disposed along the front, bottomportions of the seat shell 103. As shown, the seat pan angle, α₁, of thevehicle seat pan 56 may generally vary between 6 degrees and 23 degreesrelative to horizontal. Furthermore, the seat back 120 of the infant carseat 102 should preferably be oriented at a recline angle, α₂, betweenabout 40 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to horizontal to ensurethe safety and comfort of the infant 40.

The adjustment foot 170 may work in tandem with the curved bottomrockers 107A and 107B to provide a stable platform for the infant carseat 102 to rest on the vehicle seat 50, particularly during the processof installing the infant car seat in the vehicle. In someimplementations, the adjustment foot 170 may be shaped and/or adjustedto abut the vehicle seat back 58 and/or the vehicle seat pan 56 togenerally provide leverage against the seat pan and/or seat back of thevehicle seat and thereby facilitate a tight and secure fit of the infantcar seat to the vehicle seat (e.g., an installation that passes the CPS“inch test”). To accommodate variations in the seat pan angle, α₁, theposition and/or orientation of the adjustment foot 170 relative to theinfant car seat 102 may be adjustable to change the recline angle, α₂,accordingly. The adjustment foot 170 may further include an integratedpositioning mechanism to ensure the desired recline angle is maintainedonce set by the parent and/or the caregiver.

The adjustment foot 170 may be integrated into the infant car seatsystem 100 in several ways. For example, FIGS. 52A and 52B show anexemplary infant car seat system 100 u-1 with a telescopic adjustmentfoot 170 a. As shown, the adjustment foot 170 a may include a base 172that is mounted to the infant car seat 102 and a foot 174 that istelescopically slidable with respect to the base 172 (e.g., to vary anoverall height dimension of the adjustment foot). The base 172 and thefoot 174 may be disposed between the seat shell rails 106A and 106B andlocated near the frontside 102A of the infant car seat 102 to balancethe contact between the vehicle seat 50 and the curved bottom rockers107A and 107B, which typically occurs towards the backside 102B of theinfant car seat 102.

The base 172 may be oriented such that foot 174 moves along atranslation axis 171. By retracting and/or extending the foot 174 fromthe base 172, the recline angle, α₂, may be increased or decreased,respectively.

The base 172 may further include a positioning mechanism 176 to lock theposition of the foot 174 with respect to the base 172. In someimplementations, the positioning mechanism 176 may include a ratchetingmechanism that defines a discrete set of positions for the foot 174 tobe set and maintained in relation to the base 172. The positioningmechanism 176 may also be actuated in several ways including, but notlimited to a push button, a rotatable knob, and a sliding mechanism.Thus, a parent and/or a caregiver may actuate the positioning mechanism176 to unlock the foot 174, which then allows the position of the foot174 to be adjusted accordingly. Once the desired position of the foot174 is set, the parent and/or the caregiver may release the positioningmechanism 176 to lock the foot 174 in place.

In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170 a may also be rotatablewith respect to the infant car seat 102. In particular, the base 172 maybe mounted to the infant car seat 102 via a rod, a tube, or a bar 178that allows the base 172 and the foot 174 to rotate between a storedposition and an operational position. For instance, FIG. 51B shows theadjustment foot 170 a in a stored position where the base 172 and thefoot 174 lie substantially flush against the bottom of the seat pan 122.In some implementations, the adjustment foot 170 a may also form astorage compartment to store the seat anchors 104A and 104B when in thestored position.

FIG. 52 shows another exemplary infant car seat system 100 u-2 with arotatable adjustment foot 170 b and a belted anchor system 104 k. Asshown, the adjustment foot 170 b may include a foot 174 that isconfigured to rotate about a pivot axis 179 in order to adjust therecline angle, az. Specifically, the foot 174 may be rotated downwardsto decrease the recline angle, az. In some implementations, theadjustment foot 170 b may also include a positioning mechanism (notshown) to maintain the foot 174 at set angles relative to the infant carseat 102. Similar to the adjustment foot 170 a, the positioningmechanism in the adjustment foot 170 b may be manually actuated to allowthe parent and/or the caregiver to adjust the rotational position of thefoot 174 as desired.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Rocker Foot

As described above, the infant car seat 102 may include seat shell rails106A and 106B with curved bottom rockers 107A and 107B, which may createan unstable platform for the infant car seat 102 when placed onto thevehicle seat 50. In addition to integrating an adjustment foot 170, theinfant car seat system 100 may simply incorporate seat shell rails 102with a flat bottom side instead of the curved bottom rockers 107A and107B. However, this approach eliminates the rocking functionality of theinfant car seat 102.

In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 may be configured toprovide both rocking functionality and a flat platform by incorporatinga retractable rocker foot. For example, FIG. 53 shows an exemplaryinfant car seat system 100 v with pop out rocker feet 190A and 190B,respectively disposed within the seat shell rails 106A and 106B, toprovide the curved rocker bottoms 107A and 107B. As shown in FIG. 53,the pop out rocker foot 190B may be a retractable and disposed withinthe rocker cavity 118B when not in use (the seat shell rail 106A mayinclude a similar rocker cavity, not shown in FIG. 53, to store the foot190A). When deployed, the retractable pop out rocker feet 190A and 190Bmay extend substantially across the bottom sides of the seat shell rails106A and 106B, thus providing a curved platform similar to the curvedbottom rockers 107A and 107B.

The retractable pop out rocker feet 190A and 190B may be coupled totheir corresponding seat shell rails 106A and 106B via a slidingmechanism (e.g., a slot and a rail) that constrains the feet along adesired path (e.g., a substantially vertically-oriented path when theinfant car seat 102 is supported by a horizontal surface). The seatshell rails 106A and 106B may have a bottom opening through which theretractable pop up feet 190A and 190B respectively may pass when beingdeployed and/or stored.

The pop out rocker feet may further include an integrated lockingmechanism (not shown) to maintain the feet in either a stored or anoperational position. The locking mechanism may be actuated by a taband/or a button 194. For example, a parent and/or a caregiver may pressthe tab/button 194 to deploy the pop out rocker feet. For storage, theparent and/or the caregiver may press the tab/button 194 and push theretractable pop out rocker feet 190A and 190B into the correspondingrocker cavities 118A and 118B.

The pop out rocker foot 190A or 190B for each seat shell rail 106A and106B may be individually actuated as shown in FIG. 53. However, itshould be appreciated that in other implementations, the infant car seat102 may include a pair of pop out rocker feet 190A and 190B that aremechanically coupled such that the feet are deployable and/or storableat the same time by actuating only one tab/button 194.

An Infant Car Seat System with a Mini Seat Base

In some implementations, the challenges encountered when using aride-hailing or ridesharing vehicle with a conventional infant car seatsystem may be addressed, in part, by using a smaller seat base than theconventional detachable vehicle installation base 20 shown in FIG. 1A.For example, FIG. 54 shows an exemplary infant car seat system 100 wwith a mini base 200 that is mounted to the vehicle seat 50 and providesa mounting interface to install the infant car seat 102.

As shown, the mini base 200 may include an anchor system 104 s where theseat anchors 104A and 104B are mounted directly to the mini base 200 forattachment to the vehicle seat 50. The mini base 200 may also include abelt hook 210 to receive a vehicle seat belt (not shown) so that thevehicle seat belt may also couple the mini base 200 to the vehicle seat50. The mini base 200 may include an engagement mechanism 202 configuredto receive a rod 204 disposed on the infant car seat 102. As shown inFIG. 54, the rod 204 may be disposed between the seat shell rails 106Aand 106B and below the seat pan 122.

In some implementations, the engagement mechanism 202 may include alatching mechanism to securely couple the infant car seat 102 to themini base 200. The mini base 200 and/or the infant car seat 102 mayfurther include a release mechanism (not shown) to release the infantcar seat 102 from the mini base 200 when actuated by the parent and/orthe caregiver.

With this approach, the infant car seat 102 may still substantiallyreside on the vehicle seat 50 via the seat shell rails 106A and 106B. Inother words, the mini base 200 only provides the interface to mount theinfant car seat 102 to the vehicle seat 50 and does not provide aplatform to support the infant car seat 102, unlike in conventionalinfant car seat systems (as shown in FIG. 1A). Additionally, the seatanchors 104A and 104B may provide a quick connect and/or disconnectmechanism similar to the above inventive infant car seat systems withintegrated anchor systems disclosed herein. The mini base 200 may alsobe dimensioned to be significantly smaller than conventional seat bases,which reduces the weight and size of the mini base 200 and, hence, thecarrying burden for the parent and/or the caregiver.

In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 may be pre-installedonto the mini base 200 by the parent and/or the caregiver andsubsequently installed onto the vehicle seat 50 together. Similarly, theinfant car seat 102 and the mini base 200 may also be removed from thevehicle seat 50 together. In this manner, the mini base 200 may functionas an accessory that is removably coupled to the infant car seat 102.This allows the infant car seat 102 to maintain a lower weight andreduces features on the infant car seat 102, which may only be used whenthe infant car seat system 100 w is installed in a vehicle.

In some implementations, the infant car seat 102 may include one or morefeatures described above in relation to the infant car seat systems withintegrated anchor systems, such as an integrated release actuator, whichmay be mechanically coupled to the mini base 200 via the engagementmechanism 210, or a storage compartment 160 to store the mini base 200.

Infant Transportation Via Ride-Hailing/Ridesharing

As noted above, infant car seat systems according to the various exampleimplementations disclosed herein significantly facilitate transportationof infants using ride-hailing or ridesharing services. In view of theforegoing, FIG. 55A illustrates a method 5500 of providingtransportation for an infant and an accompanying parent/caregiver by atransportation network company (TNC; e.g., Uber, Lyft) that offersride-hailing or ridesharing services.

At step S510 of the method 5500, the transportation network companyenters into a contract with a driver of the vehicle that includes theinventive infant car seat system 100 already installed. The contractbetween the TNC and the driver allows the driver to use an app executingon the driver's mobile device to receive and accept a booking for aride-hail/rideshare journey from a party (e.g., the parent/caregiver ofthe infant). The contract between the transportation network company andthe driver can be formed in any suitable manner that results in alegally enforceable contract such as, for example, a contract agreementprovided by the transportation network company as an offer that thedriver can accept using any suitable means including an app on thedriver mobile device, via an app on a computing device of the vehicle ofthe car, via a website, and/or the like. The driver can renderacceptance in any suitable manner such as clicking on anacceptance/agreement option on app on the driver's mobile device, on thecomputing device of the vehicle of the car, on the website, simply bydownloading and using the app from an app store, and/or the like. Theagreement terms can include an agreement, by the driver of the vehicle,to provide the infant car seat system 100 already installed in thevehicle. The agreement terms can further specify that, for the tripand/or time requested by the parent/caregiver (or another party actingon behalf of the parent/caregiver), a fee will be charged by the TNC forthe journey and, optionally, an additional fee will be charged by theTNC for use of infant car seat in the vehicle. As part of the operationof the app on the mobile device of the driver, the driver will receivean indication of an origin and destination for the journey as providedby the booking party.

At step S520, pursuant to the contract in step S510, the TNC providesand/or otherwise permits electronic download of the app to the mobiledevice of the driver. The driver is then enabled to receive bookings forride-hailing/ridesharing journeys in which an infant car seat isspecifically requested.

Similar to the driver of the vehicle, the parent/caregiver (or partybooking on behalf of the parent/caregiver), can also download arider-specific app from the transportation network company to requestthe booking of a vehicle with an infant car seat system 100. FIG. 55Billustrates an example interface of such an app that the party can useto request a vehicle with an infant car seat system, as indicated by theoption 5550. In some implementations, the request/booking can include amore explicit or express indication of a parent/caregiver (andoptionally, additional people) travelling with the infant, and a requestfor a vehicle with the infant car seat system 100 already installed. Thedriver-specific app can receive an indication of the request from thebooking party (e.g., when the transportation network company determinesthat the driver's vehicle meets the criterion set out in therequest/booking) and can either automatically accept the request (e.g.,based on either the contract or the driver's stated preferences), orrequire that the driver voluntarily accept the request.

In some implementations, the rider-specific app may not only permit thebooking party to request a vehicle with the infant car seat system 100;additionally or alternatively, the app may permit the user to rent theinfant car seat system 100 for a duration longer than that of thejourney such as, for example, a few hours, a day, several days, a week,etc. Such a feature can be useful when, for example, theparent/caregiver anticipates an extended need for the infant car seatsystem 100 beyond that of the requested journey. Such a need may occur,for example, if the parent/caregiver is traveling with the infant on amulti-leg journey (e.g., first ride-hail journey from home to an originairport, air travel from the origin airport to a destination airport,second ride-hail journey from the destination airport to grandparent'shome). FIG. 55C illustrates an option 5555 for the booking party to rentthe infant car seat system 100 (illustrated as a selectable “Rent CarSeat” option) via the interface of the rider-specific app. In someimplementations, such a selection can render one or more additionalinterfaces to the booking party to provide additional information,terms, pricing, and/or the like, associated with the rental of theinfant car seat system 100, and require the booking party to accept suchterms before confirming the rental of the infant car seat system. Oncethe selection of option 5555 is made and/or otherwise completed, thetransportation network company can provide an indication to the driver,via the driver-specific app, that the parent/caregiver intends to takethe infant car seat system 100 with them upon completion of the journeyfor some time period thereafter, so the driver should allow theparent/caregiver to remove the infant car seat system 100 after reachingthe destination of the journey.

At step S530, once the journey is complete, the driver can indicate,using the app executing on the mobile device of the driver, that thedestination for the ride-hail or rideshare journey has been reached. Forexample, the driver can click on a “trip complete” option in the userinterface of the app on the driver's mobile device, which is thentransmitted to the transportation network company. After receiving suchan indication, the transportation network company can provide to thedriver a portion of the fee charged to the booking party. In thismanner, the driver is compensated for providing the vehicle with theinfant car seat system 100 as an amenity to the parent/caregiver. Insome implementations, when the booking party selects the option 5555 torent the infant car seat system at booking, the driver can beinstructed, via the driver-specific app, to indicate confirmation oftransfer of the infant car seat system 100 to the parent/caregiver.

When the parent/caregiver wishes to return the infant car seat systemduring a subsequent journey with the transportation network company,they can indicate this via a “return car seat” option 5560 that canbecome available on the rider-specific app during the course of the carseat rental. In such a case, when a driver of a vehicle contracted withthe transportation network company selects and/or is selected to providethe journey, they can receive a specification, via the driver-specificapp, that the parent/caregiver has elected/requested to return theinfant car seat system 100 upon completion of the subsequent journey,and that the parent/caregiver (or party booking on behalf of theparent/caregiver) will be charged the additional fee for the rental ofthe infant car seat system (in addition to a fee for the subsequentjourney itself). When the subsequent journey is complete, the driver canretain the infant car seat system 100, and the driver-specific app canindicate the additional fee charged by the transportation networkcompany to the booking party for the rental of the infant car seatsystem. In some implementations, the driver can be instructed, via thedriver-specific app, to indicate confirmation to the booking party ofreceipt/return of the infant car seat system 100. In someimplementations, the driver-specific app can permit the driver of thevehicle of the subsequent journey to list their vehicle as having theinfant car seat system 100 available for use and/or rent to a subsequentbooking party.

FIG. 56 illustrates another method 5600 of providing transportation foran infant via a transportation network company offering ride-hailing orridesharing services, and addresses the scenario where theparent/caregiver owns and/or is otherwise in possession of an infant carseat system 100 according to any of the embodiments described herein. Atstep S610, the parent/caregiver, or another party acting on behalf ofthe parent/caregiver, can hail, request, and/or otherwise book and payfor a ride-hail or rideshare journey in a vehicle with a transportationnetwork company, i.e., with a vehicle and driver that contract with thetransportation network company to provide such journey services, asdiscussed above in connection with FIGS. 55A-55C. In someimplementations, the payment is not made up front, but after the journeyis completed. The request can be made by the booking party via arider-specific app provided by the transportation network company, andreceived/accepted by the driver via a driver-specific app provided bythe transportation network company as generally detailed in connectionwith FIGS. 55A-55C. In making the request the booking party can specify,via the rider-specific app, an origin and a destination for the journey.In some implementations, the request can include an indication of thebooking party being, or requesting the journey on behalf of, aparent/caregiver accompanying an infant in the infant car seat system.In some implementations, providing such an indication results in anincreased charge/cost for the journey to the booking party.

In some implementations, the parent/caregiver is in possession of theinfant car seat system by virtue of rental of the infant car seat systemfrom an earlier journey with the transportation network company asdiscussed above in connection with FIGS. 55A-55C. In suchimplementations, the request made by the booking party may include anindication that the parent/caregiver intends to retain the car seatafter the journey, i.e., to continue their rental of the infant car seatsystem from the transportation network company. In some implementations,the continuance of the rental of the infant car seat system is impliedwhen (see FIG. 55C) the booking party does not elect the “return carseat” option 5560. In some implementations, an indication of suchelection to retain the infant car seat system, or omission of electionto retain, can be provided to the driver of the vehicle via thedriver-specific app.

At step S620, the method 5600 further includes, upon arrival of thevehicle at the origin specified by the booking party, theparent/caregiver carrying the infant in the infant car seat system tothe vehicle and the parent/caregiver and/or the driver installing theinfant car seat system in the vehicle with the front of the infant carseat facing the rear of the vehicle. In some implementations, asdiscussed above, the infant car seat does not include a detachablevehicle installation base, and can be installed in the vehicle withoutusing a vehicle seat belt of the vehicle. In some implementations, theinfant car seat includes a set of seat shell rails (e.g., the rails 106Aand 106B, or structurally/functionally similar variants thereof) havingcorresponding curved rocker bottoms (e.g., the bottoms 107A and 107B, orstructurally/functionally similar variants thereof), and a carryinghandle (e.g., the handle 112, or structurally/functionally similarvariants thereof). The infant car seat can also include handleattachment mechanisms (e.g., the mechanisms 114A and 114B, orstructurally/functionally similar variants thereof) to attach the handleto the seat shell rails. The infant car seat system can also include ananchor system (e.g. the anchor system 104, or structurally/functionallysimilar variants thereof) coupled to the infant car seat to secure theinfant car seat directly to a vehicle seat (e.g., similar to the vehicleseat 50, or structurally/functionally similar variants thereof) of thevehicle with a tight fit, and with the front of the infant car seatfacing the rear of the vehicle.

The anchor system can include seat anchors (e.g. the seat anchors 104Aand 104B, or structurally/functionally similar variants thereof) thatmechanically couple to portions of corresponding seat shell rails. Inthis way, each anchor is constrained by its corresponding seat shellrail between the front of the infant car seat and the correspondinghandle attachment mechanism on each side of the infant car seat. In thisposition/setting, each infant car seat anchor then mechanically engageswith a vehicle lower anchor (e.g., the vehicle lower anchors 52A and52B) of the vehicle seat.

At step S630, and upon arrival of the vehicle at the destination, theparent/caregiver and/or the driver can release both the seat anchorsfrom mechanical engagement with their corresponding vehicle loweranchors by employing an actuator (e.g., the actuator 180, orstructurally/functionally similar variants thereof) that is coupled tothe infant car seat and to the anchor system. In some implementations,where the booking party is charged extra for the ability to bring theinfant and the infant car seat system on the journey, an indication ofthe total charge to the booking party from the transportation networkcompany can be provided to the driver via the driver-specific app.

CONCLUSION

All parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and the actual parameters, dimensions,materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specificapplication or applications for which the inventive teachings is/areused. It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiments arepresented primarily by way of example and that, within the scope of theappended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to eachindividual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or methoddescribed herein.

In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions and arrangement of respective elements ofthe exemplary implementations without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. The use of a numerical range does not precludeequivalents that fall outside the range that fulfill the same function,in the same way, to produce the same result.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed aspart of the method may in some instances be ordered in different ways.Accordingly, in some inventive implementations, respective acts of agiven method may be performed in an order different than specificallyillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously (evenif such acts are shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments).

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” “only one of” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

1.-132. (canceled)
 133. An infant car seat system, comprising: an infantcar seat having a front and a backside, the infant car seat comprising:a first seat shell rail; and a second seat shell rail spaced from thefirst seat shell rail to define a space therebetween; and an anchorsystem rigidly coupled to the infant car seat to attach the infant carseat directly to a vehicle seat without using an infant car seatdetachable base, the anchor system comprising: a first infant car seatanchor, rotatably coupled to the infant car seat outside of the space,to mechanically engage with a first vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat;and a second infant car seat anchor, rotatably coupled to the infant carseat outside of the space, to mechanically engage with a second vehicleanchor of the vehicle seat.
 134. The infant car seat system of claim133, wherein the anchor system further comprises: a rigid cross-memberpassing through the first seat shell rail and the second seat shellrail, wherein: the first infant car seat anchor is attached to the rigidcross-member and rotatable about a rotation axis defined by the rigidcross-member; and the second infant car seat anchor is attached to therigid cross-member and rotatable about the rotation axis defined by therigid cross-member.
 135. The infant car seat system of claim 133,wherein at least one of the first infant car seat anchor and the secondinfant car seat anchor is a rotatable and/or telescoping seat anchor toallow adjustability for fitting the infant car seat system to differentvehicle seat shapes.
 136. The infant car seat system of claim 133,wherein the infant car seat further comprises: at least one storage areato facilitate storage of at least one of the first infant car seatanchor and the second infant car seat anchor, via at least one ofrotation and/or translation of the at least one of the first infant carseat anchor and the second infant car seat anchor, when the anchorsystem is not in use to attach the infant car seat to the vehicle seat.137. The infant car seat system of claim 136, wherein: the at least onestorage area includes a first storage area to store the first infant carseat anchor and a second storage area to store the second infant carseat anchor; the first storage area is positioned on a first outer sideof the first seat shell rail; and the second storage area is positionedon a second outer side of the second seat shell rail.
 138. The infantcar seat system of claim 136, wherein: the at least one storage areaincludes a first storage area to store the first infant car seat anchorand a second storage area to store the second infant car seat anchor;the first storage area is positioned on a first front edge of the firstseat shell rail; and the second storage area is positioned on a secondfront edge of the second seat shell rail.
 139. The infant car seatsystem of claim 136, wherein: the at least one storage area includes afirst storage area to store the first infant car seat anchor and asecond storage area to store the second infant car seat anchor; thefirst storage area is positioned inside the first seat shell rail; andthe second storage area is positioned inside the second seat shell rail.140. The infant car seat system of claim 133, wherein the infant carseat further comprises: at least one actuator, coupled to the infant carseat and the anchor system, to release both of the first infant car seatanchor from mechanical engagement with the first vehicle anchor and thesecond infant car seat anchor from mechanical engagement with the secondvehicle anchor via a single actuation of the at least one actuator. 141.The infant car seat system of claim 140, wherein the at least oneactuator includes at least one actuator handle.
 142. The infant car seatsystem of claim 141, wherein the at least one actuator handle ispositioned on the backside of the infant car seat.
 143. The infant carseat system of claim 141, wherein: the infant car seat includes acarrying handle; and the at least one actuator handle is positioned onthe carrying handle of the infant car seat.
 144. (canceled)
 145. Theinfant car seat system of claim 133, wherein: the vehicle seat includesa pair of LATCH system lower anchors; the first infant car seat anchorincludes a first infant car seat LATCH system connector; the firstvehicle anchor is a first vehicle LATCH system anchor of the pair ofLATCH system lower anchors of the vehicle seat; the second infant carseat anchor includes a second infant car seat LATCH system connector;and the second vehicle anchor is a second vehicle LATCH system anchor ofthe pair of LATCH system lower anchors of the vehicle seat.
 146. Theinfant car seat system of claim 133, wherein: the vehicle seat includesa pair of ISOFIX system lower anchors; the first infant car seat anchorincludes a first infant car seat ISOFIX system connector; the firstvehicle anchor is a first vehicle ISOFIX system anchor of the pair ofISOFIX system lower anchors of the vehicle seat; the second infant carseat anchor includes a second infant car seat ISOFIX system connector;and the second vehicle anchor is a second vehicle ISOFIX system anchorof the pair of ISOFIX system lower anchors of the vehicle seat.147.-160. (canceled)
 161. The infant car seat system of claim 133,further comprising an adjustment foot disposed proximate to the front ofthe infant car seat between the first seat shell rail and the secondseat shell rail. 162.-167. (canceled)
 168. The infant car seat system ofclaim 161, wherein the adjustment foot includes at least one adjustablemechanism to provide adjustable leverage against at least one of theseat back or a seat pan of the vehicle seat.
 169. The infant car seatsystem of claim 168, wherein at least one adjustable mechanism includesat least one of an adjustable telescoping mechanism or an adjustablerotating mechanism to provide the adjustable leverage.
 170. The infantcar seat system of claim 133, wherein: the infant car seat has a centerof gravity and further comprises: a carrying handle; a first carryinghandle attachment mechanism to attach the carrying handle to a firstside of the infant car seat; and a second carrying handle attachmentmechanism to attach the carrying handle to a second side of the infantcar seat; the first infant car seat anchor is coupled to the infant carseat at a first constraining point; and the second infant car seatanchor is coupled to the infant car seat at one of the firstconstraining point or a second constraining point different from thefirst constraining point, to mechanically engage with a second vehicleanchor of the vehicle seat.
 171. The infant car seat system of claim133, wherein: the first infant car seat anchor is mechanicallyconstrained by a first portion of the first seat shell rail proximate tothe front of the infant car seat; and the second infant car seat anchoris mechanically constrained by a first portion of the second seat shellrail proximate to the front of the infant car seat. 172.-179. (canceled)180. The infant car seat system of claim 170, wherein: the first infantcar seat anchor has a first connection end that mechanically engageswith the first vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat; the second infant carseat anchor has a second connection end that mechanically engages withthe second vehicle anchor of the vehicle seat; the infant car seat has alongitudinal plane that divides the infant car seat into right and leftparts; a lower constraining boundary plane of the infant car seat isdefined by: an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of theinfant car seat and passing through the center of gravity of at leastthe infant car seat; the first connection end of the first infant carseat anchor when engaged with the first vehicle anchor; and the secondconnection end of the second infant car seat anchor when engaged withthe second vehicle anchor; and the first constraining point and thesecond constraining point are above the lower constraining boundaryplane of the infant car seat.
 181. The infant car seat system of claim180, wherein: an upper constraining boundary plane of the infant carseat is perpendicular to the lower constraining boundary plane andincludes the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the infantcar seat and passing through the center of gravity of the infant carseat; and the first constraining point and the second constraining pointare between the lower constraining boundary plane and the upperconstraining boundary plane of the infant car seat.
 182. The infant carseat system of claim 180, wherein: the vehicle seat includes a seatbight; and the first constraining point and the second constrainingpoint are between the lower constraining boundary plane and a verticalplane passing through the seat bight when the first connection end ofthe first infant car seat anchor is engaged with the first vehicleanchor. 183.-200. (canceled)